[FILM REVIEW] CONCRETE UTOPIA (2023)

How far will someone go to survive in a post-apocalyptic world? After an immense earthquake hit Seoul, Hwang Gung Apartments just so happens to be the only building within the vicinity to survive the disaster. However, as the amount of resources decline, the residents of the apartment decided to find a way to banish outsiders in a bid to reduce burden.

Directed by Uhm Tae Hwa, Concrete Utopia features a star-studded cast consisting of Lee Byung Hun, Park Seo Jun, Park Bo Young, Kim Sun Young, Park Ji Hu and Kim Do Yoon. The movie revolves around the residents of Hwang Gung Apartments as they draft out a plan to get rid of outsiders and create a system in order to increase their chances of survival till help arrives. 

Let the plan begin

With Seoul in ruins, Hwang Gung Apartments remains as the only building standing. More and more survivors start to seek refuge within the apartment to escape the harsh winter outside, but original residents start to feel threatened by these outsiders. Fights break out from time to time, and resources are dwindling. Finally, the residents form a committee and decide to vote whether to evict the outsiders. Young Tak (Lee Byung Hun) finds himself being chosen as the resident delegate, as everyone recognises him as someone who is willing to sacrifice himself to protect the apartment and its residents.

Along with Min Sung (Park Seo Jun) and the other men in the building, Young Tak leads everyone on raids outside the vicinity to ensure that resources are stocked up. However, Min Sung’s wife, Myung Hwa (Park Bo Young) realises that everything is not what they seem like. Compassionate and soft-hearted, Myung Hwa was at a loss when the outsiders were banished from the apartment. When a neighbour of Young Tak’s, a young girl by the name of Hye Won (Park Ji Hu) finds her way back to the apartment, the mystery starts to unravel.

A moral dilemma

While going on the raids outside Hwang Gung Apartments, Min Sung finds himself gradually becoming more daring and brave. His desperation to ensure his and his wife’s survival means that he is strictly following the rules that all residents are expected to heed. The group of men can count themselves lucky if they managed to find some food. However, they realise that they are not the only survivors, and that there are others everywhere. Violence becomes the answer to resolving any altercation, as the need for necessities to live far outweighs anything else.

Back at the apartments, rules are made to establish the new norm. Only residents are allowed to stay at Hwang Gung, rations are distributed according the contributions made and every resident has to be in agreement when it comes to activities within the building. Outsiders are given no chance, and under no circumstances are they allowed to stay within the apartment.

Review

Film goers can prepare for an emotional rollercoaster ride from the moment they step into the theatre hall! The actors of Concrete Utopia did an amazing job conveying each character perfectly. The movie is thought-provoking, and offers room for discussion. Is there anything right or wrong with each character’s action? Is there something that someone should have said or done to prevent any possible dissension?

The CG (Computer Generated) effects are stunning, and the audience can expect to be taken in by how realistic and disastrous Seoul became after the earthquake. Hwang Gung Apartments became the concrete utopia everyone long for, but at what cost?

Concrete Utopia is now screening at Golden Village cinemas islandwide. Seize the chance to watch Park Seo Jun, Lee Byung Hun and Park Bo Young on the big screen!

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Running Time: 130 minutes
The Seoul Story’s Rating: 4/5 

Written by: Aqilah
Photos by: Purple Plan

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