한국 범죄영화에서 도시, 가족, 계급의 문제

Family, Urban Space and the Question of Class in Korean Crime Films: Focusing on Green Fish and A Dirty Carnival

Cinema deals with the issue of social class intentionally or unintentionally. In particular, crime film has something to do with class in contemporary capitalist society inseparably. American classic gangster film shows contradiction within American dream by means of describing a gangster’s success through other sacrifice. In addition, classic film noir reflects a number of crimes such as corruption and depravity in capitalism. Moreover, yuppie crime thriller represents boredom in capitalist society which makes labours simple because it makes them more competitive and uneasy. Korean crime films often show this kind of aspect. I explore issues of Korean crime film in relation to capitalism and social class through Green Fish (1997) and A Dirty Carnival (2006). Regarding this, there are three main issues. Firstly, I discuss an issue of family and class in film. Although poor families in these films are a basic unit conducting capitalistic reproduction, they can be regarded as a major cause making a protagonist commit a crime. Secondly, I examine an issue of urban space and class. Two male protagonists are directly or indirectly involved an urban development project. Throughout taking the other’s space, it makes to secure them success. Hence, it means that capitalism in Korea shows its aggression during a decade. Thirdly, I argue an issue of structure and action. Although two protagonists do with their free will, they face a number of huge barriers called family, society, nation, and global capitalism. This paper examines how Korean crime films represent issues of class in a period of neo-liberalism by means of analysing Green Fish and A Dirty Carnival. Furthermore, the representation of violence in these films is linked to structured violence in our society.