New Film 'My Name Is' Tackles Jeju 4.3 Trauma with Nuance and Hope

The release of director Jeong Ji-young's film 'My Name Is' marks a significant cinematic event, bravely bringing the deeply sensitive and often politically charged Jeju 4.3 incident to the forefront of public consciousness. This is not merely a historical retelling; the film ambitiously weaves together the state-inflicted trauma of the 4.3 massacre with contemporary issues of school violence. This narrative choice aims to explore the cyclical nature of collective violence and its intergenerational transmission, offering a complex and thought-provoking perspective on historical memory and its echoes in the present.

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There are many people who experienced Jeju 4.3 who were actually perpetrators while being victims, and many who cannot even tell their families about their experiences. Also, there are cases where perpetrators and victims live as neighbors even now.

The film's strength lies in its nuanced portrayal, particularly through the character of the mother, played by Yum Hye-ran. By moving beyond a simple victim-perpetrator dichotomy, the movie enriches the discourse surrounding the 4.3 incident. Yum Hye-ran's performance is central to this, as she embodies a woman who has compartmentalized her traumatic past. Her willingness to take on such a role, as she shared, stems from recognizing that many modern Koreans live with suppressed pain, making her character relatable despite the historical context. The film's structure, using a present-day frame to unlock buried memories of 1949, adds a layer of mystery and emotional depth.

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I would have hesitated if it were a character who put pain and suffering front and center, but I thought that living with suppressed memories, despite some discomfort, is similar to ordinary Koreans today, so I didn't feel burdened by choosing the role.

From the perspective of a South Korean publication like Hankyoreh, which often engages with historical injustices and social commentary, 'My Name Is' represents a crucial artistic endeavor. Director Jeong's intention to delve into the complexities of the 4.3 survivors, some of whom became perpetrators or lived alongside them, is highlighted. The film's motif of 'finding one's true name' speaks to reclaiming identity and acknowledging painful truths. Yum Hye-ran's description of the film as a 'story about love,' about remembering those lost, resonates with a national desire to confront and memorialize difficult historical chapters. The film's artistic ambition and its focus on remembrance offer a powerful message of healing and recognition, particularly for a society still grappling with the legacies of its past.

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I think it's a movie that says, 'I will not forget my precious person. I remember the people who disappeared from this land.' I expect this kind of heart and story will provide comfort to many people.