Watch Unbowed

Unbowed is a Korean film released in 2011. The film tells a story of a mathematics professor named Kim Kyung-ho (played by Sung-Ki Ahn) who is wrongly accused of altering his own research data. His academic rival and a judge Kang Jeong-ho (played by Park Won-sang) oversees his trial, and he's joined by the prosecutor Park Shin-hye (played by Na Young-hee).

The movie starts with the scene where Kyung-ho is preparing for a lecture on his recently published research on the bow structure of a cathedral. While giving the lecture, he is interrupted by an older man named Oh (played by Kim Ji-young). Oh asks Kyung-ho if he could provide supporting data for the research. Kyung-ho tells him he can't at the moment, and then the lecture continues. After it ends, Oh approaches Kyung-ho again, but this time with a different intent. He sorts through the papers Kyung-ho has been using for his research and states they don't add up. Kyung-ho tells him to leave.

The next day, Kyung-ho receives a subpoena informing him that he is being taken to court for fabricating data for his research. Unsurprisingly, he is confused and bewildered. Meanwhile, Kang Jeong-ho presides over the trial and quickly finds Kyung-ho guilty. Enraged by the verdict, Kyung-ho objects and argues that he has done nothing wrong. However, the judge dismisses his pleas and sentences him to six months in jail.

Upon his sentence, Kyung-ho's quiet life changes dramatically. His family, colleagues, and students abandon him. His wife silently stands by him, but his teenage daughter Chae-yeon (played by Kim Joo-ryoung) is devastated. Kyung-ho sees several other prisoners in jail and believes that he is not alone in his wrongful conviction. He slowly begins to interact with some of the prisoners, including a couple who are both in jail due to their passionate love affair.

Kyung-ho is released from jail after three months. He then decides to make a final appeal in court. He is determined to clear his name and have the charges dropped. He does his best to gather the evidence that led to his conviction, but it only leads him down a path of more confusion.

During this time, he gets closer to one of his students who has cerebral palsy named Hyeon-soo (played by Kim Yeong-cheol). Hyeon-soo is convinced that Kyung-ho is innocent and agrees to help him in his trial. Kyung-ho finds that Hyeon-soo possesses information that may exonerate him, and he embarks on a new mission to prove his innocence. He uses Hyeon-soo's testimony and evidence to convince the court of his innocence, but the judge is not convinced.

Unbowed is a compelling story of a man whose life is turned upside down due to one grave accusation. It sensitively portrays the challenges of fighting against ingrained power structures and upholding one's integrity. The movie is well acted, and Sung-Ki Ahn gives a powerful performance as Kyung-ho, bringing to life the struggles and emotions of a man whose life is falling apart.

The film's pacing may be slow for some viewers, as the story takes its time to unfold. However, the pacing also helps accentuate the bleakness and desolation of Kyung-ho's plight. Throughout the film, director Chung Ji-yong purposefully creates a sense of isolation and detachment that reflects the alienation Kyung-ho experiences. The cinematography adds to the film's somber tone, portraying muted tones and long, static shots.

Overall, Unbowed tells a thought-provoking story about power structures and justice. It highlights the dangers of abuse of power and the importance of standing up for what is right. The movie is a must-see for those interested in social justice and the human condition.