Director Byun Sung-hyun, known for acclaimed films "The Merciless" and "Kill Boksoon," has delivered another cinematic triumph with "Good News," a darkly comedic masterpiece that premiered at the 30th Busan International Film Festival. The film opens with an intriguing disclaimer: "Inspired by true events, but all characters and events portrayed are fictional," immediately followed by the provocative question "What is the truth then?" This sets the stage for a riotously entertaining exploration of truth, propaganda, and international diplomacy.
The true events that inspired this black comedy date back to March 1970, when members of the Red Army Faction of the Japan Communist League hijacked Japan Airlines flight 351. In the film, the hijackers, led by the character Denji (played by Show Kasamatsu), seize control of the aircraft in Japan and demand to be flown to Pyongyang, North Korea's capital, where they hope to receive political asylum. However, when the plane enters South Korean airspace, the situation takes an unexpected turn that becomes the heart of this brilliant farce.
The film's central plot revolves around an elaborate international deception scheme. When the hijacked aircraft enters South Korean territory, a crisis team comprising politicians, military personnel, and advisers from Japan, South Korea, and the United States devises an audacious plan to fool the terrorists. Their strategy involves disguising Seoul's Gimpo International Airport to look like Pyongyang and directing the plane to land there instead of its intended destination. This Hail Mary operation forms the backbone of the film's most entertaining sequences.
"Good News" features an impressive all-star cast that brings exceptional performances to this complex narrative. Sol Kyung-gu delivers a compelling portrayal as a shadowy adviser known only as "Nobody," a disheveled outsider with unique insights into both the Red Army Faction and North Korea. His mysterious background and motives spark widespread speculation among other characters. Ryoo Seung-bum provides wonderfully over-the-top comedy as the mustachioed head of South Korea's intelligence services, while Hong Kyung plays an air force officer whose fluent linguistic skills place him at the center of the delicate negotiations. The cast is rounded out by Takayuki Yamada, who adds depth to the ensemble.
From its opening scenes, Byun's film channels the anarchic energy reminiscent of Stanley Kubrick's 1964 wartime satire masterpiece "Dr. Strangelove," featuring larger-than-life characterizations and frenetic pacing that keeps audiences engaged throughout. The film also draws comparisons to other acclaimed works, including Ben Affleck's Academy Award-winning "Argo" and the Coen Brothers' "Burn After Reading," as it applies a farcical approach to events that in reality likely unfolded with nail-biting, life-or-death intensity.
"Good News" represents the latest entry in a recent trend of Korean cinema focusing on aircraft-related scenarios, joining the ranks of other notable films such as "Hijack 1971" and "Emergency Declaration." However, Byun's work distinguishes itself through its exceptionally sharp and intelligent screenplay that manages to transform a potentially tragic situation into expertly crafted comedy while simultaneously celebrating the often complex and nuanced art of political diplomacy.
What sets this film apart from others in the genre is its whip-smart script that skillfully balances humor with serious themes. The movie successfully imbues what could have been a straightforward thriller with deftly judged comedic moments, creating a unique viewing experience that both entertains and provokes thought about the nature of truth and international cooperation. Despite its opening disclaimer suggesting fictional elements, the film actually stays remarkably close to how the actual events unfolded, making it both historically grounded and cinematically engaging.
Movie enthusiasts won't have to wait long to experience this acclaimed film firsthand. "Good News" is scheduled to begin streaming on Netflix starting October 17, making it accessible to a wider international audience following its successful festival premiere. The film's combination of stellar performances, intelligent writing, and masterful direction positions it as one of the standout releases from this year's Busan International Film Festival.
