Herstory (2018)

World War II was a time of death and despair, a time when the unthinkable became a reality–but there are aspects of this era that don’t often make their way into the spotlight. However, from 1992 to 1998 ten women took the floor before a judge, begging for payment for a time when they were treated less than human. These women suffered as “comfort women” during the war–and they must stand up to the Japanese government in order to prove their worth and expose the harsh realities of their past. Herstory is their journey toward justice.

If nothing else, Herstory is brilliantly educational, discussing a series of events in human history that I had never heard of (and it’s likely that many others are unaware of as well). Historical films are fascinating, especially ones about obscure topics like this–and the film plays out in a way that allows viewers to fully understand all that transpires.

Herstory relies heavily on dialogue to drive it forward–and that dialogue helps to develop the dramatic situations and to allow viewers to better understand the content (which there is a lot). There’s a language barrier and there’s a disconnect between cultures and the history of comfort women–and without effective dialogue the film can’t develop as needed. While there are some issues with the dialogue (unnecessary lines and such) that plague the film from time to time, the gist of the film seeps through and finds its way to viewers.

There is a poorly developed (and I believe unintentional) juxtaposition of tones that develop throughout the course of Herstory. The obvious tone of the film is intense and dramatic–but comedy develops as well, and not in the best moments. I understand that there needs to be balance, and that it’s likely that even individuals who have experienced the hardships of the ten women being showcased throughout Herstory would use comedy to alleviate some of the pressure that came with their journey–but comedy is used in the most inopportune moments, drowning the intensity that needs to exist.

I appreciate the content, and I appreciate all that Herstory is attempting to do–but Director Kyu-dong Min struggles to find a balance that allows the film to play out in an effective fashion. Levity is necessary in Herstory, there’s no doubt about that, but levity at the expense of the rest of the film is just not good–and the film begins to fold in on itself, incapable of hitting as hard as it needs to. There are certainly moments in which I was nearly drawn to tears, in which the severity of the many characters’ situation came to be fully understood–but just as quickly as that intensity is developed, it’s thrown to the wayside, far from grace, and Herstory struggles massively as a result.

Directed by Kyu-dong Min.

Starring Kim Sun-young, Kim Hae-sook, Soo-jung Ye, Suk Mun, Yong-nyeo Lee, Jun-han Kim, Yeong-ih Lee, etc.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10