Original subtitles

A fire in the mountain

Based on a story by: Beomseok Cha Screenplay: Bongseung Shin

Director of Photography: Donghyuk Hong

Editor: Jaewon Yoo

Youngkyun Shin

Jeungnyuh Choo

Keumbong Do

Chungsoon Hwang, Eunjin Han

Executive Producer: Taesoo Kim

Director: Sooyong Kim

It wasn't easy for me to bring it.

You should bring it once you promised to do.

Why are you saying another thing?

I don't want to do this either.

Let me see that.

Don't you know what's going on here?

Don't wield your power as a head of village.

What?

I am not wielding my power.

Stop complaining, and bring your bowl in full!

There's no way I bring my bowl in full.

What? What did you say?

Sir, on top of my son-in-law's death as a volunteer soldier,

and now she, a traitor, is trying to beat me up.

Let me explain.

All of us don't have enough food.

However, she is not willing to bring her portion.

Her families all died as South Korean soldiers.

However, my husband died in the mountain.

Whatever they do,

They're all traitors, right?

What are you doing?

No one wants to get killed.

Don't mention the dead people.

We will figure out our problem.

You should just take what we have gathered.

Someday I will see how your family

goes down, with my own eyes.

A curse will not bring your dead son-in-law.

Stop it.

Is my breakfast ready, or not?

What does he expect? I got into a stew.

Bring a glass of cold water.

Yes.

Barley rice or potato rice?

You should not make an old man hungry.

Bring my breakfast!

Oh no!

Oh... Oh...

- You slut! - So what?

- Screw you! - Only if I didn't have this boy,

I would never spend my life here!

Stop crying!

- I said stop crying! - Don't do this to him.

It's not his fault, don't hit your boy.

What good is a child?

The commies took my husband, and my food...

How shall I live?

It's not a place to live.

Leave if you want to.

Go to Kwangju, Mokpo, be a whore or something.

Don't worry about me.

I will not ask for your help!

Damn bitch, no woman her has a husband in her.

I lived until 50, without my husband.

Are you proud of that?

Children are enough.

I don't agree with that.

- Sis! - Oh, my god.

I will get married.

Getting married?

Right.

- With whom? - I dreamed of

guys in the market asking me to marry them.

You do really want that?

I will not make my husband dead if I get married.

I really need to get married.

Grandpa, grand ma!

Open your mouth!

Kimchi is coming.

My mouth and your mouth.

Grand grand grandpa.

Grandpa, grand ma!

Grand grand grandpa.

Grandpa!

- Monkeys have red butt... - Shut your mouth.

Grand...

She is killing me. Put your stick away.

Are we having barley rice again?

- I like potato rice better. - So do I.

Whatever.

Father, please stop asking for food.

What? White rice?

I should have two bowls.

I will have more than three bowls.

Oh my goodness!

I am too old for this.

Hey, idiot! Go and find your sister-in-law!

Where's she?

Your friend Kutsoon is feeding her mother!

I can do that!

If you get sick, I can do like her!

Sure you do!

- Kutsoon. - What is it?

- This is corn porridge. - Yeah.

How is she?

- Mom! - Who is it?

She brought you some porridge.

Ma'am, pull yourself together.

Hello.

Maybe I should go to the city and make some money.

What about your mother?

I can't just sit here and get starved.

I should serve as a maid or something.

We don't have such a chance.

I don't think we can get such a job even we get out of here.

We wouldn't be like this, if your brother is still alive.

What kind of world kills all men?

There are only women left here, young and old women.

I will take care of that.

- Is that okay? - Don't worry.

I am sorry.

I will bring a bag and come back.

I can't imagine how I can make leaving.

Do you know who's winning this war?

Who knows? We are in the deep mountain.

I am tired of it, it's been more than two years.

Right.

I can't remember my husband's face anymore.

Right.

If he is still alive, he will think about you.

Isn't there a war not taking our husbands?

That's what I'm saying.

My life is worse than a dog's life.

- Isn't it? - You're right.

What is this?

Look at this.

It's a man's cloth.

A what?

Where?

You look happy just for smelling it.

Well, we all are hunger for that.

Bastard, how come he just left his clothes only?

Exactly.

We won't bite him, are we?

There's a rumor.

That a man is around here.

That's a nonsense.

He only shows up at night.

Where?

And there is a woman with him.

It doesn't make any sense.

All men are gone for a long time!

We don't have a man in here.

Everyone, look what I've found!

Do you know what it is?

- What is that? - A man's cloth?

I can smell a man from this cloth!

What!

- We all smell this. - She must be really hungry.

You will get crazy!

I can't believe this.

Parents children are of no use now.

We need something else.

We have no other choice but to wait for them.

Waiting for a dead husband? What a life!

Maybe someday, we will have a better life.

Sis!

Where have you been?

I went to the town to get my mother's medicine.

Is she that serious?

Lives or dies, I want the result soon.

What do you mean?

Even I want to be a maid, I can't leave because of her.

Don't say like that, it's your mother.

They are all checking for the identification cards.

I think a man cannot walk around.

The police hauled strange people.

I wish I had an identification card.

Maybe we should stop all this and leave.

What are we waiting for?

I should change my life before I get older.

Who would thank us for suffering here?

I think you should make up with Jumrye.

They are just like us, nothing different.

Is he dead or what? I wish we could get

any news from him.

It's been more than 3years, if he is alive, we must know by now.

Damn stupid, he could just stay here.

Why did he ever become a volunteer soldier?

It is better than being guerillas like others.

It's all same, they are all dead.

If he only thought about me, he wouldn't do that.

But he really was a good son to you.

It would be better, if he made a child like Sawol.

I will stop by hers.

Do you have a grudge?

No, we are all the same.

- Bring her some sweet potatoes. - Yes.

- Make it quick. - Yes.

You must be lonely.

Try this.

There is someone waiting for you, right?

It's good that you're fine.

But your family must be worried.

Talk to me.

You have no response.

Is your wife pretty?

Do you miss her?

Do you have a kid?

Damn, please say something!

Hello?

Try this sweet potatoes.

You shouldn't bring them, we have that too.

Where is my daughter-in-law?

Uh?

Didn't she go to your place?

- My place? - Yes.

So, will we have good news in the market?

I can see men there, that's the only good thing.

Just like the other time.

It was not this far, when I went with my husband.

Exactly.

How come we don't have one man in our village?

- Let's move. - Mom! Mommy!

Is she Guideuk?

Mom, let me go with you!

Oh, no, dear...

Wasn't it enough to steal the eggs?

Why are you here?

I didn't steal them, she gave to me.

Shut up! Get back home!

No, I want to go!

She really wants it badly, let's just take her.

See? Listen to her!

- Come on! - What's wrong with her?

Grandpa, grand ma!

Why was she born like that?

I wish she were dead, when we had a bomb.

We even spend money for her medicine,

and now my son is gone, yet she is alive.

Don't say like that, she is not the only fool here.

We are all fools, living without men for years.

Hello?

Is somebody here?

I need to take a break here.

Oh my goodness!

Where's my pisspot?

Hello, I thought you're a ghost.

Is my dinner ready?

Is it going to rain?

Where is everyone?

I was going to ask that.

Where is everyone?

My eyes are sore, I couldn't sleep well.

Well, say what you have to say.

Hello.

Hey, he wouldn't know even he gets robbed.

Take a look, I have new fabrics.

I can't afford that, and I don't need it.

What are you saying?

Fine feathers make fine birds.

All men in the village will love you.

We don't have any man here.

Did you see the fabric seller?

There she is.

Take a look with us.

No, I don't want to.

Well, never mind then.

- Ma'am, what have you got here? - Hey, welcome.

- Hello. - So, what did your mom say?

She asked for a matchmaking.

So, is there a man in the city?

Stop it...

You should try.

She doesn't look like a widow at all.

Don't spread the words.

I am embarrassed.

Well, then don't do embarrassing things!

Ma'am, what about my job as a housekeeper?

Ladies, you're asking me too much without buying my clothes.

Let's go to my place and talk about this.

All right.

Here.

See you then.

So, do you really want to be a housekeeper?

Yes, I do.

If you marry with an old man, you will be favored.

- I think he is around 50. - Ma'am!

Can I have a word with you?

I told you to get the fabric, and now you ran all the way here?

It's... I need to ask something.

What is it?

- I will be right back. - Okay...

Can a stranger go into the city?

I don't think so!

The surveillance is very tight because of guerillas.

Even us sellers get inspected all day long.

Every station, the navy and police is asking for an ID.

You want to go somewhere?

Don't even think about it, if you don't have an ID.

So, a man in the mountain will never get forgiven?

Mountain? You mean a guerilla?

If he became a guerilla without his will...

I don't think they will keep the guerillas alive.

However, you can go and ask. How would I know that?

Where is your hometown?

You really didn't get married before?

Tell me if you have wife or not.

How come you don't talk to me about yourself?

All right.

I was teaching children before.

I was a primary school teacher.

He was a good man, a fine teacher for children.

- So your husband was a teacher? - Right, a primary school teacher.

But after he got haled to the mountain, I never saw him again.

I guess he is dead now.

Your life is not that different.

If I don't do this, all my family will starve to death.

Her husband also got haled to mountain and didn't come back.

He must be dead... It's stupid thing to wait for them.

We are all unlucky people.

Her brother ran away before things happen,

so maybe he is alive in somewhere.

You can't hide like this forever.

I think you better turn yourself in.

You didn't kill anyone, but were just taken in.

You will not get punished, turn yourself in.

No, they will kill me if I do. I want to live.

I can bear anything if I can live, in a cave or a pigsty I don't care.

Just live me alone.

I am afraid if something happens...

I don't have money, and I am uneducated.

I just live like this everyday.

Are you afraid because of me? Or are you tired of me?

Don't say like that.

That's not what I meant.

No woman stay with a man if she doesn't like him.

Just let me stay here until the world get better.

I don't need food, I will survive as much as I can.

I see, I see.

- Hey! - Oh my goodness!

What is that?

- It's nothing. - Let me.

It's dishes. Where are they from?

Don't lie to me, tell me the truth!

I don't have anything to tell you.

Do you think I don't know if you don't tell me?

Follow me.

Come on!

Shall I tell the one in the cave?

- He will be please. - Don't do this.

So who the hell is he?

Lost your tongue? You should say something.

He is my cousin.

Come on.

You sleep with your cousin?

Sawol...

Don't hesitate, and tell me the truth.

Just promise me one thing.

Well, now you know me, I am not a kid.

I will promise.

I am thirsty.

Listen,

how could you hide a man

in a cave and having fun by yourself?

No, it's not that. I don't know about it.

I just felt sorry for him because when he get caught,

he will be dead.

I feel sorry for ourselves more than him.

Living without husbands in this young age.

Someone is fine since she already got another man.

Sawol, don't be sarcastic and listen to me.

He was a school teacher.

But he is a commie after all, right?

They are the ones who killed my husband.

How come are you on his side?

Let's go to the police and report him.

He is not a commie.

He was a teacher.

He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

He lost his school and home and dragged to the mountain.

It is the truth.

My hometown is a mountain with flowers

Peach, apricot blossom, and baby azalea.

Red and pink all of the flowers

I miss the time I was in my hometown.

The songs of home that I can still hear.

I can still see the playground when I close my eyes.

And those innocent eyes.

How are they?

I can see the road my wife was waiting for me.

After I left my home, all I can feel was guilty.

From one to another mountains, they took me everywhere.

How regretful my life in the mountain.

When can I go back home in free

and see my family?

People without hometown will never know

how I feel about my hometown now.

Think about it, how much will he miss his wife?

Maybe our husbands are not different from him.

It's a sad thing.

You will feel the same.

Help him to survive.

I feel like I want to help him, too.

Let's take turns and help him.

- Take turns? - Yes.

I also want to help this poor guy.

Bring some food and clothes.

Thank you, but don't bother him too much.

You mean I should just shut up?

And only you have the fun part?

- Stop saying stupid things. - Stupid things?

If you say so, I have my own way.

Sawol!

Do whatever you want!

- I will go to the police. - Sawol! Sawol!

Please don't.

You can do anything, but please save him...

He is a poor man...

Think again then!

All right. Just don't tell anyone.

He will turn himself in soon.

Don't worry, your precious man is also precious to me.

I will visit him tonight.

One thing,

you should stay home when I visit him!

Don't get scared.

My name is Sawol.

She told you!

Only two of us know, don't worry.

Get out!

When I am out, I will go to the police.

Police?

I am a woman, isn't it all the same?

Does it matter who brings the food?

It only matters that you have food to live.

What?

So you mean・ you two will raise me like a pet?

Does it matter?

You need to live.

Sure.

Like breeding livestock, put me in a cage

bring some food,

and use me sexually...

I won't say no to that.

I am sorry.

Even you say I treat you like a pig,

I can't let you go!

What's wrong?

It's just wrong to be born to this world.

Wait until the spring comes, and go back to your family.

You can start again.

- Do we have other choice? - Mother...

Hey, don't worry about us.

We can make it. We won't die.

I wish I can see him once before I die.

I will go out for air.

Hey!

Hey!

Come here.

Oh no!

How come are you here?

I will follow you.

No one is sleeping yet.

I came to tell you that I am not an animal.

- How could you send her... - Please calm down.

I will be there. Go! Hurry!

Then.

- Okay. - Okay.

Mr.!

Mr..

I need to do something.

I think this place is more dangerous now.

You can't move without the ID.

Don't be stupid.

I have a friend who lives 80km away.

Maybe I know him.

He used be my classmate from the college.

However, since you went to the mountain,

who would welcome you in this world?

How about turning yourself in? I can do that for you.

No way!

I will get what I deserve.

I covered you.

Are we going to be fine?

I want to live, I don't want to die!

Sir... I really want you to be all right.

Please turn yourself in. You won't get killed.

- This sound... - It's all right.

- It's okay. - It will kill me.

Oh・no. We will all die if something happens.

Why is it just come and go?

Don't turn round and round, do something!

- Ma'am. - Yes?

Don't say that! How can we live?

No one can survive!

When the army is coming, guerillas in the mountains will all die.

This mountain is hard to fight in winter time.

I am pleased to hear that the army is coming,

but still worried about the barley hump.

- Right, did you hear about Sawol? - What?

She is seriously sick.

I heard from Saleh.

Oh, my!

Is is all right?

She even throws up the porridge.

Maybe she is dying to meet someone.

She is available at anytime.

That's strange...

- It's all right. - I will take a look.

Sure.

Oh...

Saleh, Saleh?

- Yes. - Pat on her back.

Sure.

- Sawol, are you pregnant? - I will kill you if you say that again!

How can I get pregnant without a husband?

Don't say stupid things, or I will kill you.

Jee... all right. Calm down.

Seriously, she is sick...

You are in trouble.

Oh!

Where's he?

Mr.! Mr.!

Where's he?

About Sawol, you know why, right?

Bad morning sickness, she must be pregnant!

How can she? She doesn't have her husband.

If you say such a wild guess, you will get in trouble.

You know Sawol's mom, don't you?

I am pretty sure about this!

- Well. - I've been there.

Vomiting? You know what that means.

Be careful!

I don't want to be part of it.

Why not? I will see you later.

Are you a new servant?

Excuse me?

Lazy ladies. They called a servant,

because they didn't want to work!

Grandpa, where's mother?

Well, it's spring, I feel sleepy.

You don't understand what I am saying.

- Kwideok, - Yes?

Where is your sister-in-law?

She sent me because I was hungry.

Hungry again?

What is wrong with your stomach?

Why didn't she come back with you?

How much kudzu root will she bring?

I am hungry, too. Get me something.

Me to, get me something.

Both a grandfather and a granddaughter is same!

I don't have anything, two meals a day is enough!

So, you don't have my food but you can afford a servant?

What are you talking about?

Since when did we have a servant?

I know everything, you're bad.

- She is bad. - You're in your second childhood.

What servant is he talking about?

The war took away our husbands.

Many people died.

My sister-in-law became a fool by a bomb attack.

My father-in-law lost his mind for that.

All our village women had a really hard time

until now.

It's hard to live as a widow.

I think I am proud of myself for managed it that long.

Mr., what about me?

Mr..

I won't go back home, anymore.

I will stay with you whatever happens to me.

I can't live without you.

Please go away.

No, you can't do this. You can't do this to me.

What?

Mr..

I will kill you! Kill you!

No...

Why are you doing that?

She has your child, what are you doing?

You will leave anyway.

It's not her fault to come and see you.

She likes you, that's not a crime.

We are all the same, let's look out each other.

Tell me who made such a rumor!

Tell me!

Oh my.

Don't do this, speak slowly.

Who's making up a story that my daughter is pregnant?

Ask your daughter.

Look what she's saying. What did you just say?

No smoke without fire.

What? What did you just say?

- Why are you doing this to me? - You don't know that?

- I don't know. - Come on! Let's do it!

- Are you crazy? - My daughter lost her husband,

- And now you are accusing her? - I am not making it up.

- We all lost people. - Stop them!

Please don't do this.

- What is all this? - What is it all about?

Pull them apart!

- Why pulling me only? - Let me go!

Why me?

What? Tell the people in the mountain!

The world is changed, so cut my throat!

Please, don't do this.

Right, so you're doing it because the army is coming?

This is all about paying back, uh?

Try! But it's all same.

Everyone here offered their rice to the guerillas.

If you do that, I can do exactly same thing to you!

Is there someone who didn't help Kotnim?

- I am here! - You lead us a head of village!

Screw you!

What, my hair?

Tear up the dress, so I can sell more clothes.

Look at my fabric, you can exchange with rice.

Just looking is fine.

- Come and see - What kind of person is she,

selling clothes in here?

I am infertile, I can't have a child.

I thought it's my husband, but it seems it's my problem.

You have a child.

Why don't you just run away with him?

Don't say that.

Why someone like me have a baby all the time?

I don't want a child without father.

Then beg him.

He has his own family.

You, lied to your own mother?

Who is the father? Tell me, who's it?

- Ma'am. - Tell me who he is.

What, is he a noble man? A billionaire's son?

Ma'am.

I can't believe it really happened.

- You, a whore! - Please, ma'am.

- Cheating your mom? - Ma'am.

What is all this?

Sis,

Well...

Sis,

What's up? You are all dressed up?

I am leaving for Kwangju.

She's getting married.

I came to say goodbye. I had no choice.

I want to start over.

Good.

He is old, but a nice man.

- Sis. - Yes?

Are you all right?

It's nothing, she just can't eat.

Jungnim, have a good life.

People might say bad things about me.

No one is going to.

I would do the same, if I had the chance.

You should think about it.

Who would live for us, if we stay here?

I am fine.

Go before it gets late.

Yes, take care of yourself.

Sure, just come by when things get better.

Yes.

Good bye.

Bye.

I feel like I took one of your friend.

- See you! - Don't look back.

Come on, we have a long way to go.

You should live tomorrow morning.

Forgive us for what we have done to you.

We were wrong.

Your family must be looking for you.

I can't imagine how much they miss you.

You should not make them wait for you.

We will take you to the city, so you can go to the police station.

The situation will get worse if you stay here.

We better make a decision now.

We will all miss you, and Sawol is a mother now.

Don't worry about the child.

Maybe the people from the mountain came for food.

- Come on! - Come here!

Come here quickly!

- What is it? - What's up?

- Are we all here? - I think so.

Yes.

Good.

As you may heard,

there will be a clean-up operation of the commies.

To do this, we need to clean up the woods

and destroy the bamboo grove.

- What? The bamboo? - No, we can't destroy that.

- No, please don't do! - Listen up!

I think you saw them,

our reconnaissance jets found that too many

bamboo groves in this village

give the guerillas places to hide.

- But we can't burn them. - No, we can't.

Those are where our ancestors are buried for a long time.

Right, we can't burn them.

- How can we do that? - No, that's not possible.

No way! No way!

- We can't risk - No, please!

Your lives and properties to save the bamboo groves.

I would appreciate your cooperation.

- No! - Let's do it.

Please, please, don't do that!

Come on!

Ma'am!

- Not the bamboo grove! - Please let go!

What are you doing? No way!

Damn it!

I will burn my own bamboo grove!

What's that? Food?

This? I have to burn my bamboo grove!

That's good.

Please, sir, not the bamboo grove.

I can't let you do this! Please!

- Please. - Ma'am, you can't stay here!

Mother, why?

Stop him, now!

They are burning our bamboo groves to catch the guerillas!

- Please don't. - Mother.

How could we burn the land from our ancestors?

- I can't do that, no... - Mother!

Oh my goodness!

You will get burned! Come on!

It's nice!

- Oh my bamboo... - Oh no!

- Oh, no... - What shall I do?

- Come on! - You're burning our land!

Oh no...

- Please stop this. - Please.

Where are you going! Are you crazy?

It's hot!

I can't live without this! No, I can't!

Hot!

Who's that?

There was a man in the bamboo grove?

- Hey! - What is that?

Oh... My...

There was a man?

- Really? - So it was true.

Does anyone know who he is?

Who is he?

See? I told you Sawol had a man.

No one?

Why me? I don't know him.

Why are you looking at me?

So you mean my daughter was with him?

I will bring Sawol and ask her about this.

Stay right there!

Bring the body and investigate thoroughly!

Yes, sir.

Sawol!

Sawol!

What...

How...

Oh my...

You should at least clear your name!

Stupid...

Isn't he the new servant in our house?

Hey, he is dead.

Look, he is dead.

Finally...

You should turn yourself in...

I guess it's late.

It's late. It's too late!

I am sorry.

Thank you.

Korean Film Archive presents Korean captions and English subtitles are sponsored by Google Translations and subtitles by Free Film Communications