Program Note
Set in 1972, during the final stages of the Vietnam War when South Korean troops were conducting joint operations with the U.S. military, a distress signal is detected from a Korean military unit previously reported to have been completely wiped out six months earlier. Lieutenant Choi Tae-in and nine soldiers are dispatched to investigate ‘Romeo Point,’ also known as ‘R-Point.’ Upon arrival, the soldiers are driven into a state of extreme psychological breakdown, marked by growing suspicion and confusion—not only toward each other but even toward themselves. The backdrop of the Vietnam War and military life evokes a deeply ingrained, historically charged anxiety within the Korean psyche—familiar and yet laced with latent dread. It’s a setting steeped in trauma, bloodshed, and the oppressive weight of memory. Within this crucible of violence and uncertainty, the presence of ghosts serves to intensify the fear, transforming wartime horror into something even more insidious. R-Point skillfully builds intense suspense based on this setting, meticulously crafting a sense of ‘invisible terror’ that stands as the film’s core strength. Rather than relying on typical horror tropes such as ghost appearances or jump scares, the film amplifies fear through dialogue, direction, and mise-en-scène, heightening tension through the characters’ psychological deterioration amid uncertain circumstances. Recognized as a landmark Korean horror film ahead of its time, R-Point (2004) has been digitally remastered by the Korean Film Archive and is making its theatrical return this year at BIFAN. (Kani KIM)