The Fortress () is a 2017 South Korean epic historical drama film directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk, starring Lee Byung-hun and Kim Yoon-seok. It is based on the novel Namhansanseong by Kim Hoon.
Plot The film is set during the Qing invasion of Joseon in 1636, when King Injo and his retainers sought refuge in the fortress located in Namhansanseong.
Cast Main Lee Byung-hun as Choi Myung-kil A leader of one of the two ideological cliques that battles in the fortress trying to decide whether to make peace or fight against the Qing dynasty. Kim Yoon-seok as Kim Sang-hun The other leader of the ideological clique who battles with Choi's opinion and firmly believes in defending the nation's dignity by fighting against the Qing dynasty. Park Hae-il as King Injo The king who is in agony in the tense conflicts between his men over the fate of the nation. Go Soo as Seo Nal-soe A blacksmith sent out with a king's letter to recruit loyal forces. Park Hee-soon as Lee Shi-baek The commander of the Namhansanseong garrison, silently defending the mountain fortress in the extreme cold weather conditions.
Supporting Song Young-chang as Kim Ryoo Jo Woo-jin as Jung Myung-soo Lee David as Chil-bok Heo Sung-tae as Yonggoldae Kim Beop-rae as Hong Taiji Jo Ah-in as Na-roo Jin Seon-kyu as Lee Doo-gap Yoo Soon-woong as Chief Scholar Park Ji-il as Deputy Chief Scholar Choi Jong-ryul as Eunuch Kim Joong-ki as First Secretary
Production In 2011, Kim Hoon sold the rights to his novel Namhansanseong to his own daughter, film producer Kim Ji-yeon.
Release and reception The film was released in South Korean cinemas on October 3, 2017. It topped the box office on its opening day with 444,527 viewers. According to the film's distributor CJ Entertainment, by the second day of its release, the film had accumulated more than one million admissions, the fastest film released during the Chuseok holidays to surpass the mark.
The Fortress was sold to 28 countries worldwide including U.S.A, Japan, Taiwan and Singapore. It was the opening film at the 2nd London East Asia Film Festival. In South Korea, the film attracted a total of 3.8 million moviegoers.
Awards and nominations Award Category Recipient Result Ref.37th Korean Association of Film Critics Awards Best Film The Fortress Best Director Hwang Dong-hyuk Best Cinematography Kim Jee-yong Best Music Ryuichi Sakamoto Top 10 Films The Fortress 38th Blue Dragon Film Awards Best Film Best Director Hwang Dong-hyuk Best Actor Kim Yoon-seok Lee Byung-hun Best Screenplay Hwang Dong-hyuk Best Cinematography and Lighting Kim Jee-yong & Jo Gyu-young Best Music Ryuichi Sakamoto Best Art Direction Chae Kyung-seon 4th Korean Film Producers Association Awards Best Film The Fortress Best Editing Nam Na-yeong Best Sound Choi Tae-young 12th Asian Film Awards Best CinematographyKim Jee-yong Best Sound Choi Tae-young 54th Baeksang Arts Awards Grand Prize (Film) Kim Yoon-seok Best Film The Fortress Best Director Hwang Dong-hyuk23rd Chunsa Film Art AwardsBest Actor Lee Byung-hunTechnical AwardKim Jee-yong27th Buil Film AwardsBest FilmThe FortressBest DirectorHwang Dong-hyuk Best Screenplay Best Cinematography Kim Jee-yongBest Music Ryuichi SakamotoBest Art Direction Chae Kyung-seon55th Grand Bell AwardsBest FilmThe FortressBest DirectorHwang Dong-hyuk Best Actor Lee Byung-hunBest Screenplay Hwang Dong-hyuk Best Cinematography Kim Jee-yongBest EditingNam Na-youngBest Art Direction Chae Kyung-seonBest Lightning Jo Kyu-youngBest Costume Design Jo Sang-kyungBest Music Ryuichi Sakamoto2nd The Seoul AwardsBest FilmThe FortressBest ActorLee Byung-hun CamerimageGolden FrogKim Jee-yong
References
External links