If North Korea and South Korea ever reunite and hold a celebratory film festival, “Escape from Mogadishu” is a sure thing for selection. Based on the amazing true story of embassy staff from both c…
If North Korea and South Korea ever reunite and hold a celebratory film festival, “” is a sure thing for selection. Based on the amazing true story of embassy staff from both countries joining forces to escape probable death in the civil war-ravaged Somali capital in 1991, this propulsive and intelligently written South Korean adventure thriller casts partisan politics aside and celebrates what can be achieved when adversaries come together.
Events take place two years before the U.S. military operation depicted in “Black Hawk Down.” Ryoo’s tightly constructed screenplay paints a concise picture of mounting civil unrest in the Somali capital and the daunting task facing South Korean ambassador Han Shing-sung . His mission is to win crucial African votes that will ensure South Korea’s admission to the United Nations following decades in the diplomatic wilderness.
Han and his small band of inexperienced ROK staffers are no match for DPRK ambassador Rim Yong-su and a well-oiled diplomatic machine that’s been operating in Africa 20 years longer than South Korea. With the help of his hot-tempered intelligence officer, Tae Joon-ki , Rim appears to be comfortably winning the battle for Somalia’s support.
What follows is a terrific mix of action-thriller excitement and riveting drama. It’s great to watch Han and Rim reject the paranoia-fueled protests of their respective intelligence officers and choose to instead find common ground. As the pragmatic Han says to his sensible opposite number, who’s also prepared to face consequences in Pyongyang, “Let’s state our goal clearly. We’re just banding together to survive.