On May 18, 1980. The Gwangju Democratization Movement began. In its first days, a crackdown on student demonstrators by paratroopers results in the loss of numerous lives. Incited by the violence, residents of the city of Gwangju rise up, engaging the influx of troops descending upon their city. The denizens are able to defend their home and their freedom for a short time but are eventually pushed back. The troops, now with reinforcements, re-launch their attack. On May 27 the remaining civilians still fighting gather in the Jeonil Building for their final stand. Shoeshiners, factory workers, teahouse waitresses—people who have been ill-treated by society—put their lives at risk trying to defend their ideals and the city. While other notable films such as A Petal by Jang Seon-wu and May 18 by Kim Ji-hun have tackled the plight of Gwangju, Yi, best known for Yellow Flower (2002), recreates the atmosphere of that terrible day in a wonderfully experimental way. With the gun being the ultimate symbol of violence, he has insisted that no guns appear in the film. Instead, the actors only behave as if they were holding guns. Gunshots are heard and blood is seen—but the guns themselves are non-existent. (NAM Dong-chul)