Director Jung YoonChul, known for his films ‘Marathon’ and ‘The Proxy Soldiers’, is directing a feature film ‘Sea Tiger’ based on the true story of Sewol diver Late Kim GwanHong. This film was selected in the feature film script category at the 2021 ‘3rd 4.16 Foundation Cultural Content Contest’ and received high praise from the judges for its realistic depiction and moving theme. The original work is the novel “It’s a Lie” by author Kim TakHwan.
Director Jung YoonChul explained his intention behind making the film, stating, “I wanted to raise awareness about the existence of civilian divers among the victims of the Sewol disaster and the pain they experienced.” Through this work, he aimed to form social empathy towards the unreasonable responsibilities forced upon the divers and the state’s neglect.
Notably, the film is gaining attention for its unique and experimental production methods. In a situation where it was difficult to secure large-scale production funds due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the stagnation of the film market, Director Jung boldly adopted a theatrical format, filming on indoor sets on a low budget. In the post-production process, rich sound effects and audio were used to allow the audience to imagine the actual space.
During a monitoring preview held at a large theater in Seoul last August, audiences expressed that the new production method demonstrated how moving a film could be. They found the story of the Sewol divers intriguing and hoped that their noble sacrifices would bring respect and comfort back to society.
The production company plans to release the film in the first half of 2024, with social funding for distribution and promotion marketing costs to begin in January. They requested much interest and participation. Park SeungRyul, director of the 4.16 Foundation, emphasized the significance of the film being able to unfold discussions on the meaning of the Sewol disaster, respect for life, and a safe society.
‘Sea Tiger’ is set to be released in the first half of next year, and the humanity and goodwill possessed by diver Late Kim GwanHong and his colleagues will deeply move audiences. The film requires the support and participation of many people to spark social interest.
