Repatriation (Korean: 송환; Hanja: 送還; RR: Songhwan) is a 2004 South Korean documentary film that documents the lives of unconverted long-term prisoners imprisoned in the South for more than 30 years. They were finally set free in the 1990s when inter-Korean relations improved, and repatriated to the North.[1][2]
| Repatriation | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Kim Dong-won |
| Written by | Kim Dong-won Ryu Mi-rye |
| Produced by | Kim Dong-won |
| Starring | Jo Chang-son Kim Suk-hyung |
| Cinematography | Byun Young-joo Kim Tae-il Jung Chang-young Jang Young-gil Mun Jeong-hyeon |
| Music by | Kim Dong-bum Lee Ji-eun |
Release date |
|
Running time | 148 minutes |
| Country | South Korea |
| Language | Korean |
It was presented with the Freedom of Expression Award at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival, the first time a Korean film has ever been presented with an award at the prestigious U.S. festival.[3] It also won Best Documentary Award at the 19th Fribourg International Film Festival in 2005.[4]
When the unconverted long-term prisoners imprisoned in South Korea, were released after more than 30 years, they moved to Bongchun-dong, filmmaker Kim Dong-won's village.[5][6][7]
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Sundance Film Festival | Freedom of Expression Award | Repatriation | Won |
| 12th Chunsa Film Art Awards | Best Planning | Kim Dong-won | Won | |
| 5th Busan Film Critics Awards | Special Jury Prize | Kim Dong-won | Won | |
| 24th Korean Association of Film Critics Awards[8] | Special Mention | Kim Dong-won | Won | |
| 2005 | 19th Fribourg International Film Festival | Best Documentary Award | Repatriation | Won |