Cast
View All
Shin Ha-kyun
as Lee Byeong-gu
Baek Yoon-sik
as Kang Man-shik
Hwang Jeong-min
as Su-ni
Lee Jae-yong
as Inspector Choo
Lee Joo-hyun
as Detective Kim
Gi Ju-bong
as Squad Leader Lee
Kim Dong-hyun
as Tae-sik
Kim Kwang-shik
as Detective Seo
Won Woong-jae
as Detective Jang
Ye Su-jeong
as Mother
Jeong Bo-hun
as Ji-won
Kim Roi-ha
as Jailer
Son Jin-hwan
as Factory Manager
Park Sung-min
as Adam
Son Jong-hwan
as Su-ni's Father
Crew
Director
- Jang Joon-hwan
Producer
- Kim Sun-ah
- Tcha Sung-jai
- Noh Jong-yun
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
As a science fiction narrative, Save the Green Planet! explores potential technological and societal futures, raising important questions about humanity's place in the universe and our evolutionary trajectory. The film stands apart from other sci-fi works by presenting a vision that is both thought-provoking and visually distinctive.
Director Jang Joon-hwan brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2003, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Save the Green Planet! took approximately 25 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $3.0 million, the film represented a significant investment in bringing this story to the screen.
- The final cut of the film runs for 118 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 165 minutes long.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
- The musical score contains over 67 unique compositions.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
Historical Context
- In 2003, when this film is released:
- Social media platforms were beginning to transform communication.
- Environmental concerns were becoming more mainstream.
- Digital filmmaking technologies were transforming production processes and creating new opportunities.
How This Film Stands Out
While Save the Green Planet! shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike The Fifth Element, which focuses more on action than character development, Save the Green Planet! subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Illegal Aliens and Joe Bullet explore similar territory, Save the Green Planet! stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: April 4, 2003
- Runtime: 1h 58m
- Budget: $3,000,000
