Program Note
Set during the Manchu invasion of 1636, The Fortress follows King Injo and his retainers as they endure a prolonged siege ultimately leading to the king’s surrender. The film explores the class divisions that surface under extreme duress. Lee Byung Hun plays Choi Myung-gil, the pragmatic Minister of the Interior who advocates peace with the Qing to spare civilian lives. His counterpart is Kim Sangheon (Kim Yun Seok), the Minister of Rites and a staunch loyalist who believes surrender would compromise the nation’s honor. In its final act, the film shifts focus to Kim Sangheon’s moment of awakening, presenting not simply a story of national humiliation but a recognition of historical change that grounds the narrative in contemporary relevance. In contrast to many of his earlier, more extroverted roles, Lee delivers a restrained performance that highlights inner conflict. Choi, unlike Kim, remains steadfast in his realistic vision. Together, the two men form a dual axis that supports the film’s central themes. (CHOI Eun-young)