Banned Feature ‘Red Hunt’ to Close Tory Festival | The Irish Film & Television Network

Following Korea’s liberation from Japan in 1945, a peaceful demonstration started on April 3rd 1948 turned to a programme of terror and bloodshed that saw the island’s population of 270,000 decimated to a third within the space of a year. Between 30,000- 80,000 of these islanders were subjected to torture and brutal death in the name of anti-communism. The perpetrators of this mass murder were the governers of South Korea, the Cheju-do police and the US Military Government, and are still in power 50 years on.

Cho Sung Bong uses eyewitness accounts, US documents and commentaries by historians to create a documentary that describes in horrific detail the atrocities that had taken place on the island.

The film was immediately banned by the South Korean authorities. A Human rights activist and director of a Human Rights Film Festival, Suh Joon Sik, persisted with his human rights awareness campaign, and screened the film in 1998 despite strong governmental opposition. This act resulted in his imprisonment and three warrants were issued to the film maker.

‘Red Hunt’ will close this year’s Festival at 8.00pm, 9th July on Tory Island.

For a full programme listing log on to www.toryfilmfestival.com.

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