The Boys is the latest feature film from ‘activist filmmaker’ and cinematic visionary Chung Ji-young. Through this film, Chung continues to push boundaries and tackle corruption within society, or in this case within the ranks of the Police. Blending fact with fiction, The Boys charts a period of 17 years, electing to explore events outside of chronological order, something which keeps the pace of the film going strong while ensuring that the compelling real-life story is properly translated to film.
The main protagonist is the morally driven Police Office Hwang “Mad Dog” Juncheol (Sol Kyung-gu). The film documents his re-investigation into a robbery-homicide which occurred in 1999, and the swift closure of the case following a confession from the suspected culprits (The Boys from the title). The confession brought prestige, fame and promotion to the police department of a small South Korean Town. Sometime later, upon becoming appointed chief of the same department, Hwang becomes alert to contradictions in the investigation, as well as possible corruption and police violence. Unfortunately due to events beyond his control, and despite his best efforts the boys are coerced into a second confession and the re-investigation comes to a halt.
Hwang is on the cusp of retirement when he is approached by a Lawyer and the guilt-ridden daughter of the victim of the original homicide, who request his assistance in their quest to bring the case before the courts once more in a bid to attain justice for the Boys. By this time the boys have been released from prison and are coming to terms with the reality of their negatively compromised future, unable to move past the injustice they suffered, not just from the investigating officers but from society as a whole.
There is no doubt that the cast of acclaimed actors are excellent, and the film is delivered in a way that has the viewer’s sense of justice burning strong. However, the storyline does build towards a chaotic courtroom scene that delved more into fiction than staying true to actual court procedure, but nevertheless encapsulated the emotions involved.
The most wonderful thing about this film, at least from my own point of view, is that despite everything, the boys themselves retained a sense of honest positivity, in spite of all they had suffered, not only as part of the original investigation, but from members of the public. They had a continued innocent hope for the future, that showed their original selves, wishing for love, family and to live a good life.
Following the film’s ending, Chung shared with the viewer a little bit about the lives of the real people behind the film. Notably, the viewer is informed that despite the bittersweet ending, no apology ever came from the police, which re-ignites that sense of burning injustice and reminds the viewer that these cases are real. This film, being the third part of Chung’s ‘True Story’ trilogy seeks to remind society to take an earnest look at those who have power, or are in positions of power/responsibility, and question how they treat people like these 3 boys. In the Q&A with Director Chung following the screening, Chung shared that he hopes through his films he can make these issues universal and prevent people becoming indifferent to cases like this. Chung described it as important to encourage people to keep discussing as discussions keep the impetus going. Therefore his films go someway to preventing future miscarriages of justice.
Trailer: