The Coast Guard is a 2002

2002 in film

The year 2002 in film involved some significant events. The first significant releases of sequels took place between The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, Men in Black II, Analyze That, Spy Kids 2: The Island of...

 South Korea

South Korea

The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...

n film directed by Kim Ki-duk

Kim Ki-duk

Kim Ki-duk is a South Korean filmmaker noted for his idiosyncratic "art-house" cinematic works. His films have received many distinctions in the festival circuit. He is not related to the Kim Ki-duk who directed Yonggary in the 1960s...

. The film deals with military atrocities and the absurdities of borders and conflicts.

Synopsis

Kang Sang-byeong is a member of the South Korean coast guard who is eager to shoot a North Korean spy. One evening he shoots and kills a South Korean civilian who has strayed into a forbidden zone to have sex with his girlfriend. Kang and the girlfriend of the dead civilian both have mental breakdowns. The woman believes the members of the coast guard are her dead lover, and engages in sexual affairs with them. Though commended after the shooting, Kang is dismissed from the coast guard. He then returns to kill other members of his troop. In the end he goes to Seoul and kills people at random with his bayonet.

Wins

• FIPRESCI Prize
  FIPRESCI
  The International Federation of Film Critics is an association of national organizations of professional film critics and film journalists from around the world for "the promotion and development of film culture and for the safeguarding of professional interests." It was founded in June 1930 in...
  
  : Kim Ki-duk, "For the strong and innovative depiction of the illusion of power which destroys humanity on both sides of the fence."
• Netpac Award: Kim Ki-duk
• Town of Karlovy Vary Award
  Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
  The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival is a film festival held annually in July in Karlovy Vary , Czech Republic. The Karlovy Vary Festival gained worldwide recognition over the past years and has become one of Europe's major film events....
  
  : Kim Ki-duk