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Winner of the Special Jury Prize at the Tokyo Film Festival.
When 16-year-old Ji-gu gets out of juvenile detention, he's shocked to discover that Hyo-seung, the mother he long thought dead, is alive. Taken to live with her in her cramped, shared apartment, Ji-gu discovers that when the world outside has deemed you useless, the impossibilities of family are the only thing you have left.
The sophomore outing from writer/director Kang Yi-kwan (Sa-Kwa, MIFF 2005), Juvenile Offender is a haunting, provocative take on the ways we pass over those on the margins. Helmed by a powerhouse performance from Seo Young-ju (Best Actor, Tokyo Film Festival) as the ever-hopeful Ji-gu, it paints a biting, realistic portrait of urban discontent.
"A smart and involving character study … tightly written and delicately wrought." - Hollywood Reporter
D Kang Yi-kwan P Park Jooyoung S Kang Yi-kwan, Park Jooyoung WS Finecut L Korean w/English subtitles TD HD Cam/2012