Night Flight

Night Flight, a 2014 South Korean drama film, directed by Leesong Hee-Il and starring Si-Yang Kwak, Jae-Joon Lee, and Jun-ha Choi, is a poignant and thought-provoking investigation into life as a queer person in a society not yet fully accepting of such identities. The film heavily emphasizes emotions, teenage angst, and the struggle to find one's place in the world.

Set against the backdrop of Seoul, the film follows the journey of three high school friends, Yong-Joo (played by Kwak Si-Yang), Gi-Woong (played by Lee Jae-Joon), and Gi-Taek (played by Choi Jun-Ha). Their coming-of-age story focuses on their complexities and youth, while teasing out the issue of homophobia in the Korean education system, bringing an often overlooked topic to the forefront of the narrative.

Our main protagonist, Yong-Joo, is an intelligent and diligent student who secretly navigates his homosexuality in society. Gi-Woong is a popular student, who despite being a member of a violent school gang, possesses a softer side that he only shows to Yong-Joo. These two characters share a complicated friendship, with latent tensions and emotions complicating the boundaries of their relationship. Meanwhile, Gi-Taek is their downtrodden friend and a victim of regular abuse due to his alleged homosexuality.

The storyline elegantly captures the idea of first loves, friendships, bullies, and school politics, all while exploring the battle of self-expression in a restrictive environment. The director crafts each character with sensitivity and depth, drawing out believable performances from all three leads. Adolescence can be difficult and confusing for anyone, but to experience it while grappling with a taboo sexual identity places even more struggles on the young characters' slip to adulthood.

The visual language of Night Flight is equally compelling. It maintains a consistent and realistic tone visually, painting Seoul's urban landscape in deep, nocturnal hues that reflect the title and overall somber tone of the film. Daytime shots are complex with shadows, suggesting the lurking anxieties and pressures that the characters endure. Meanwhile, nighttime scenes bear witness to heightened emotions and pivotal character dynamics.

The cinematography of the movie is both beautiful and meaningful, where each shot carries an emotional weight. The backdrop of Seoul's cityscape perfectly complements the storyline, casting its shadows and lights on the character's lives, indirectly symbolizing the dark and light moments they experience. Moreover, the film utilizes music and silence to intensify the scenes, adding more depth and meaning to the overall narrative.

In Night Flight, we see the societal expectations pressing down on teenagers, causing them to suppress their true identities for fear of alienation. This film goes deeper than exploring surface level struggles, revealing the harmful effects of bullying, prejudice, inconsistencies in the educational system and how society turns a blind eye to such issues. It's not just a story about coming out, it's also about growing up, survival, and friendship.

Night Flight can be summarized as a deeply emotional journey narrating the struggles of coming of age, grappling with sexuality, societal pressures, and the complexities of human relationships all while under the weight of inalienable social norms. The film illustrates the silent cries for acceptance and equality, and the harsh realities faced by many queer people in communities worldwide.

In conclusion, Night Flight is a must-see film that takes you on an emotionally charged journey about friendship, growing up, and accepting oneself, despite the differences the world emphasizes. The gripping performances by Kwak Si-Yang, Lee Jae-Joon, and Choi Jun-Ha make it a real cinematic treat that resonates in the heart long after the credits roll. Its realism and ability to stir deep empathy for the characters make it an exceptional piece of South Korean cinema.