It would be cool if all the U.S. military bases around the world were there to protect people, but they’re not. “Pyeongtaek: Struggles of South Korean Farmers for Land,” a new movie by Miae Kim, puts us in the middle of a battle between the United States military and a small village which has only quality rice and a high standard of living to keep people there. A village with no need, or want for, really, any military presence, but especially not for U.S. presence. Miae Kim sweeps us into this battle as she arrives during a candlelight vigil, which they have carried out daily for more than 800 days. These people don’t want to leave their homes, nor do they want to give up their farms which have been their livelihoods for their entire life. The Korean government demolishes houses right in front of the people screaming for them to stop. “People still live there,” we hear someone say.
This documentary blends news footage, photographs, and interviews to tell the story of Pyeontaek through the voices of the villagers, Korean supporters, and a small delegation of American activists who have traveled to Korea in a spirit of solidarity.
The film gives just the right balance of out rage and compassion. Front-loaders rip and tear these houses apart: new homes, well kept homes, recently lived in homes, homes that people would not have left if not forced out. And yet in the midst of this tragedy, the Korean farmers’ resolve is amazing. They band together. People come from outlying areas to support the fact that this is where they choose to be. Shouldn’t people who live in a free society be able to live pretty much wherever they want?
Which brings us back to why Miae Kim, Cindy Sheehan, and Medea Benjamin, among others, have all gone to South Korea; we are all “free” people and yet the U.S. government is taking away homes from people they are alleging to protect.
Kim’s work has been aired on Portland Community Media (PCM)'s cable channels and on KBS (Korean Broadcasting System), South Korea's premier public broadcaster and one of four major Korean television networks.
This movie explores these farmers’ tale and leads to a larger point; that people shouldn’t be shoved around. Regardless of where you stand on that issue, go see this movie; your eyes will be opened and open eyes tend to learn. Go, see, learn, Get involved. This is your country doing this.
