Confession of Murder

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Confession of Murder
Theatre release poster
Confession of Murder
Hangul
내가 살인범이다
Hanja
내가 殺人犯이다
Revised RomanizationNaega salinbeomida
McCune–ReischauerNaega sarinbŏmida
IPAnɛka salinpʌmita
Directed byJung Byung-gil
Screenplay byJung Byung-gil
Produced by
  • Lee Yong-hee
  • Jang Won-seok
  • Yoo Jeong-hoon
Starring
Cinematography
  • Kim Ki-tae
  • Jeong Yong-geon
Edited byNam Na-yeong
Music byKim Woo-geun
Production
companies
Distributed byShowbox / Mediaplex
Release date
  • 8 November 2012 (2012-11-08) (South Korea)
Running time
119 minutes
CountrySouth Korea
LanguageKorean
Box officeUS$21,701,525[1]

Confession of Murder (Korean: 내가 살인범이다; Hanja: 내가 殺人犯이다; RR: Naega salinbeomida; MR: Naega sarinbŏmida; lit. I Am The Murderer) is a 2012 South Korean action thriller film written and directed by Jung Byung-gil. Inspired by the Hwaseong serial murders,[2] the film depicts a man who claims responsibility on a book I Am the Murderer he publishes for a serial murder case 15 years ago which have fallen out of the statute of limitations, and a police officer who failed to capture the criminal of its case.[3][4]

Produced by Dasepo Club and Showbox under presented by Showbox, the film is Jung's first mainstream feature; he first drew notice for his 2008 documentary film about Korean stunt men, Action Boys.[5] It was released on November 8, 2012 distributed by Showbox.

Plot

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In 1990, detective Choi Hyeong-goo hunts down a serial killer who has killed 10 women since 1986, and whom he suspects is responsible for the kidnapping of another. He managed to hunt down the killer. After a fierce fight that leaves Choi nearly dead and permanently scarred, the killer escapes, but not before Choi shoots him in the shoulder.

In 2005, 15-year after the last victim's murder, the expiration date for the statute of limitations[6] approaches, which will render prosecution impossible. Choi is an alcoholic, haunted by his failure to solve the case. He receives a call from Jung Hyun-sik, a family member of one of the victims. Choi rushes to his apartment, only to see Jung throw himself off a roof and crash through the windshield of a passing bus.

Two years later, a man called Lee Doo-seok releases a book titled I Am the Murderer, claiming responsibility for the 10 murders. His book contains detailed descriptions of the crimes, and he has a gunshot scar on his shoulder. The book becomes a bestseller because of the author’s charming looks, the vicious nature of the crimes, and his claims of repentance. Lee stages public visits to the homes of family members to beg for forgiveness and even visits Choi at his precinct. Choi, however, dismisses Lee as an imposter.

As the media frenzy surrounding Lee increases, family members of the victims gather to plot their revenge, led by Han Ji-soo, whose daughter Soo-yeon was the still-missing 11th victim. They release snakes into Lee's hotel swimming pool, resulting in him getting bitten. The family members then pose as a paramedic unit sent to take Lee to the hospital. They are pursued by members of Lee's security unit, as well as Choi, but eventually get away with an unconscious Lee.

Choi recognizes the kidnappers but doesn't inform his colleague. Instead, he tracks down their safehouse and stages a daring rescue, much to the consternation of the family members. Choi leaves Lee in a motel room with a note warning him against making a fuss about the incident. Lee tells the media that the kidnappers were overzealous fans and that he will not press charges.

A television station invites Choi and Lee to be on a debate show to discuss the case. During the show, a man calling himself J speaks to Lee over the phone and reveals many personal facts about Choi. J then claims he is the real killer.[7][8][9] Choi traces the call. Lee leaves the station and is shot by another family member, resulting in him being hospitalized again. The phone call is traced to Choi's mother's house. There, Choi finds a videotape of the 11th victim Soo-yeon, who was also his girlfriend, being tied up and killed.

After scrutinizing the tape, Choi announces in a press conference that it is unclear whether Lee or J is the killer. Lee continues to insist that he is the real killer, and another television debate is arranged between him, Choi, and J to settle the matter. The debate draws thousands of protestors and fans, as well as Han, who carries a pen filled with snake venom, intent upon using it on the real killer.

J arrives and directs everyone's attention to a camera crew who finds his 11th victim, Soo-yeon, proving he is the real killer. Lee makes his own revelation, admitting that he is not the killer and he also did not write the book. Lee is actually Jung Hyun-sik, who faked his death with Choi's help and underwent plastic surgery to assume a new identity. They worked together to lure out the real killer, with Choi writing the book with his knowledge of the crimes, and Lee acting as the "face."

Although surprised at the elaborate scheme, J claims that Choi cannot do anything to him, as the statute of limitations has long expired. Choi plays the tape of Soo-yeon's demise, revealing the footage was shot in that exact date in 1992, and that he has 14 minutes before the statute of limitations expires.

J taunts Choi by saying Soo-yeon carries J's child before her death. The enraged Choi attempts to kill J, but J escapes the TV station, leading to another intense chase scene. Choi finally catches up to J and is stopped short from killing him. As J is escorted away in handcuffs, both Jung and Han Ji-soo try to kill him, but Choi stabs J with the pen, avenging the victims and preventing other people from committing murder. In 2012, Choi is released from prison, greeted by the media and the victims's grateful family members. Due to the case, the statute of limitations was extended to 25 years.

Cast

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Reception

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The film received positive review ratings on local Internet portals, and sold 1.2 million tickets in its first week of release.[12] Despite being rated 18, it sold two million tickets by its 18th day of release. It was scheduled to be released in Japan in 2013.[13]

The film ranked second and grossed ₩5,458,263,251 in its first week of release,[14] and grossed a total of ₩19,955,985,636 domestically after six weeks of screening.[15]

Remakes

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The film was remade in 2017 as Memoirs of a Murderer by Yu Irie, starring Hideaki Itō and Tatsuya Fujiwara in the lead roles.[16][17][18][19]

The film was remade as a South Indian Malayalam film Angels directed by Jean Markose starring Indrajith. It was a moderate success and hit.

Awards and nominations

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2013 Baeksang Arts Awards

2013 Grand Bell Awards

2013 Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival

  • Thriller Competition Winner [21]

2014 Golden Cinema Festival

  • Silver Medal for Cinematography – Kim Ki-tae

References

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  1. ^ "Box office by Country: Confession of Murder". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2013-01-12.
  2. ^ Cho, Seongyong (2012-05-23). "A South Korean "Zodiac"". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved 2015-09-09.
  3. ^ Lee, Hye-ji (26 September 2012). "Park Si-hoo's New Movie Opening in November". 10Asia. Archived from the original on 30 March 2014. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  4. ^ Brown, Todd (2 October 2012). "Celebrity Is A Crime In Korean Thriller CONFESSION OF MURDER". Twitch Film. Archived from the original on 9 November 2012. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  5. ^ Paquet, Darcy (16 November 2012). "Box office, November 1–14". Korean Film Biz Zone. Retrieved 2012-11-23.
  6. ^ Park, Eun-jee (2 November 2012). "Three films zero in on the limitations of legal system". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved 2012-11-18.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  7. ^ "Confession of Murder (2012)". Korean Film Biz Zone. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  8. ^ "Confession of Murder". The Chosun Ilbo. 9 November 2012. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  9. ^ "Box office". The Korea Herald. 16 November 2012. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
  10. ^ Lee, Dong-hyun (7 February 2012). "Park Si Hoo Films His Upcoming Movie with His Fans". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Archived from the original on January 28, 2013. Retrieved 2012-11-28.
  11. ^ Ho, Stewart (26 October 2012). "Park Si Hoo Shows Off His Body in a Speedo". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Archived from the original on January 28, 2013. Retrieved 2012-11-28.
  12. ^ Paquet, Darcy (30 November 2012). "Box office, November 15–28". Korea Cinema Today. Retrieved 2012-12-03.
  13. ^ Lee, Eun-sun (10 December 2012). "Korea Thriller to Captivate Japanese Audiences: CONFESSION OF MURDER Will be Released in Japan in 2013". Korean Film Biz Zone. Retrieved 2013-01-12.
  14. ^ "South Korea Box Office: November 9–11, 2012". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2013-01-12.
  15. ^ "South Korea Box Office: December 14–16, 2012". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2013-01-12.
  16. ^ "藤原竜也＆伊藤英明「22年目の告白」で初共演！入江悠新作で美しき殺人犯と執念の刑事に : 映画ニュース".
  17. ^ "映画『22年目の告白―私が殺人犯です―』殺人手記出版の藤原竜也×事件を追う伊藤英明W主演＆初共演 ｜ ガジェット通信 GetNews". 14 July 2016.
  18. ^ "Korea's 'Confession of Murder' to Receive Japanese Remake". 14 July 2016.
  19. ^ "Japanese Version of CONFESSION OF MURDER Underway".
  20. ^ Ji, Yong-jin (13 May 2013). "RYU Seung-ryong Wins Grand Prize at Baeksang Arts Awards". Korean Film Council. Retrieved 2013-05-14.
  21. ^ "BIFFF 2013 - 31st Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival". Retrieved 2017-04-07.
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