In tune with Family Month comes a heartwarming tale about cherished childhood memories, "Unforgettable". Set in an obscure village during the 1970s, the film captures the beauty of simplicity and signals a return to an age of innocence. The old becomes new ― the retro story will be like a breath of fresh air to computer game-Addicted urbanites.
It's a small jewel of a film, where director Song Dong-yoon uses analog film rather than digital to immortalize the breathtaking natural scenery of Sindo. Mellow piano tunes compliment the visuals, though some of the overly dramatic soundtracks for touching moments are a bit cliche. Nevertheless, it shows how computer-generated imagery, no matter how glitzy or high-tech, cannot rival the sight of glistening, rolling hills on a sunny day or a golden sunset by the beach.
Korea's favorite child actor Yoo Seung-ho was much loved as the bratty city boy who learns to appreciate country life and his grandmother's old ways in "The Way Home" (2002). As Gil-su in "Unforgettable", Yoo trades in his Nintendo for a pair of traditional rubber shoes, which enables this happy little islander to indulge in outdoor play.
Gil-su is one of the dozen children that make up the student body of Sindo School on Sindo Island. In a single classroom, first to fifth graders sit down to be enlightened by their pretty and warmhearted teacher Eun-young. One day, Eun-young receives an invitation to visit a cookie factory in Seoul ― the fruits of her vigorous letter-writing efforts to the company.
For the handful of farming families that inhabit this remote island, the biggest excitement yet is visiting the fish market of a nearby town via a boat ride. The thought of Seoul ― the "pinnacle" of modernity and civilization ― and let alone visiting it, are out of the question, and the conservative parents firmly oppose the field trip.
But Gil-su and his friends are already swept away by the thought of seeing an actual bicycle, and set out to earn money themselves for the trip and start collecting clams with their teacher to sell at the market. For Gil-su, visiting Seoul means more than just free cookies. He's a mature little boy who must take care of his baby sister and tolerate his alcoholic single father. He's determined to find his mother who supposedly runs a store in the city.
While the stoy of "Unforgettable" may sound similar to "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", this is a tale about love, particularly the affection between a teacher and student. Teachers were traditionally revered for teaching more than the curriculum, but life itself.
Unlike other teachers that leave Sindo after a year or so, Eun-young had won the faith of the villagers, who eventually agree to send their children to Seoul. After much trouble, the group finally arrives in Seoul. However, Eun-young must prepare for the worst when Gil-do and his friends, fascinated by a bicycle, go missing.
The story unfolds as grown-up Gil-su (Lee Chang-hoon) recalls his treasured memories. He himself has become a school teacher in Seoul and makes a solo trip back home to Sindo ― the parents of his own students opposed a school trip there because the children are too busy with hagwon or private academies.
The juxtaposition of the modern classroom ― where the teacher must reprimand students for using cell phones and students complain about summer assignments like making "the best memory of their lives" ― with the pure love and joy of Sindo School enables us to question our skewed educational zeal.
"Unforgettable" is perfect for the upcoming Teacher's Day (May 15) as it will particularly strike a pang of nostalgia in adults and enlighten children.
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