<Press Kit>

SILENCED
(DOGANI)

<>
U.S. Release Date: November 4, 2011
Directed by: Hwang Dong-Hyuk Running Time: 125 minutes Rating: NR not rated by the MPAA (US Rating) / 18+ (KOR Rating) Language: Korean with English subtitles DISTRIBUTOR CONTACT: KJ Lee CJ E&M Pictures 5670 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2450 Los Angeles, CA 90036 Tel: 310.557.3050 Fax: 310.930.1015 Email: KJ_Lee@cj.net

Key art available on our website: www.silenced2011.com

I once went to a church for the hearing impaired. I sat at the back, watching the silent service, and a thought crossed my mind: If anyone should want to attack them, they will easily succeed. At that moment, I strongly realized how weak the hearing impaired children are and how much protection they need. I think the true story of Dogani is something that should never be ignored. I think itll be great and rewarding if the society can have more interest and respect for disabled children by watching <Silenced>. The film touches on our sense of justice and righteous indignation. Seeing the journey of how the children stuck on an isolated island reveal their shocking truth to the outside world is another reason to look forward to <Silenced>. From an interview with GONG Jee-young on <Silenced>

Film Underscores Koreans' Growing Anger Over Sex Crimes

- The New York Times

Silent for too long Unsettling, Dogani Revisits School Horror
The Economist

The Wall Street Journal

South Korean Sex Crime Movie Highlights Nations Anger

Jezebel

TIMELINE OF EVENTS
2000~2004 Nov. 1 2005 Nov. 17 2005 Over 8 hearing impaired students (between the ages of 7 and 22) at XX School were sexually abused and molested for 4 consecutive years. MBCs PRODUCERS NOTE (TV program) aired Concealed Truth: A Report on Sexual Molestation at a Special School. The former Chief of Administration and a rehabilitation teacher are taken into custody on sexual assault charges.

May 16 2006 ~ Jan. 12 2007 (242 Days) Aug. 21 2006 Dec. 8 2006 May 31 2007 Jun. 13 2007 Sep. 27 2007 A tent was set up and a sit-in protest was held to demand the removal of the guilty executive members from their post at XX School. The National Human Rights Commission advised for the removal of the executive members at XX School and charged 6 additional perpetrators. XX Schools Sexual Victims Group received a Korean Human Rights award. The principal charged the students with assault. A teacher who had been removed from post due to student sexual assault charges was reinstated. The XX foundation expelled, dismissed, cancelled teaching certificates, or reduced the salary of those who participated in the Victims Group. The caretaker who first disclosed the case to the public was put on the waiting list, and was later laid off. The former principal was sentenced to 5 years for sexual assault. However, he appealed and received 2 years and 6 months imprisonment with 3 years probation. He was discharged after 1 year and died of cancer. The administration workers felony was recognized, but because of the statute of limitations, he just paid a fine of $20,000 and didnt serve any time. XX Schools Sexual Victims Group held a press conference to denounce the school from changing its name and alterations.

Oct. 10 2007

Jul. 6 2011

The sexual assault perpetrators and persons in charge are still officially working at XX School today.

Information
Silenced (aka Dogani) (2011) Runtime: Genre: Language: Rating: Korea Release: Director: Original Story: Production: Distribution: 125 minutes Drama Korean with English Subtitles NR not rated by the MPAA (US Rating) / 18+ (KOR Rating)- NC-17 equivalent September 22, 2011 Hwang Dong-Hyuk Dogani or The Crucible by author Gong Jee-young Samgeori Pictures/Fantagio Production CJ E&M

U.S. Release Dates:

10/14/11 11/4/11

CGV Cinemas (Los Angeles) Century Huntington Beach (Huntington Beach) Century Great Mall (Milpitas) AMC Ridgefield Park (New Jersey) AMC Showplace Niles (Chicago) AMC Colonial (Atlanta) AMC 309 (Philadelphia) AMC Southcenter (Seattle) Cinemark 24 Legacy (Plano, TX) Century Eastport (Portland, OR) Century Suncoast (Las Vegas) Cineplex Odeon Sheppard (Toronto) Cineplex Silvercity Coquitlam (Vancouver)

CAST
Kang In-ho Seo Yu-jin Kim Yeon-du Jin Yu-ri Jeon Min-su Gong Yoo Jung Yu-min Kim Hyun-soo Jung In-suh Baik Seung-hwan

Synopsis
This film is based on the true account of what took place at a school for the hearing impaired in South Korea. In 2000, a principal and some faculty members had begun to sexually molest and abuse several hearing impaired students at their school for close to 4 consecutive years. Though we may not want to accept it, it is time to face this horrible, inhumane truth. Kang In-Ho (Gong Yoo) is a newly appointed teacher at a school for the hearing-impaired in Mujin city. On his first day, In-Ho meets the school's principal and director of administration; they are identical twins. Facing various financial pressures, he pays his way into a job at the school by bribing the principal and his twin brother. While teaching the hearing-impaired students, In-Ho feels a strange presence coming from the kids as they seem to be distraught and paranoid in behavior. Slowly, In-Ho begins to uncover the truth behind this strange behavior by finding out that the kids have been constantly abused and mistreated by some of the faculty members. In-Ho reaches out to Yoo-Jin to help investigate---a lady from the human rights center who he had met before beginning work. Soon, In-Ho and YooJin discover unfathomable actions committed by the principal of the school as well as a few other members of the faculty. Both In-Ho and Yoo-Jin begin the fight in exposing the horrible crimes against the children and take matters to court. Meanwhile, In-Ho feels his own pressures to stay silent as his job is hanging by a thin thread of bribery.

About the Movie

In 2011, a forgotten case rises to the surface in <Silenced> For about 4 years starting from the year 2000, shocking events took place at a school for the hearing impaired in Gwangju, South Korea. The principal, some staff, and teachers habitually molested some of the hearing impaired children at the school and the safety of the kids was completely neglected by the surrounding community. Whats even more shocking is the fact that the perpetrators did not receive statutory punishment and some are still working at the school today. With just a slap on the wrist from the legal world and no interest from the press, this case was soon forgotten. The victims have been battling a lonely fight till this day. In the past, films like <Memories of Murder>, <Children>, and <Voice of a Murderer>, which were based on shocking true stories, went beyond just being a film and had great rippling effects on the Korean society. Since the victims of <Silenced> are children who cannot hear or speak, it calls for even more social attention than any other film in the past. Revealing the truth of children who were being assaulted and oppressed, <Silenced> has risen as the biggest issue of 2011 in South Korea. The truth cannot go to the dogs Cinematizing Dogani, a novel by Koreas representative author, Gong Jee-young Gong Jee-young is a well-loved, representative author in Korea for her novels such as Mackerel, Bong-soons Sister, and Our Happy Times. But with her 2009 released novel, Dogani, South Korea has been turned upside down. The novel deals with the true accounts of sexual molestation that took place at an actual school for the hearing impaired in Gwangju. It was an online series for 6 months from November 2008 to May 2009 on the internet portal site, Daum and had a phenomenal record of over 16 million viewer hits. Author Gong Jee-young claimed she was struck by a line from a newspaper article that led to the start of her on-line series: The moment the light sentence of being discharged on probation was interpreted through sign language, the court was filled with incomprehensible cries from the hearing impaired. This unbelievable case inspired Gong to drop the novel she was working on and bury herself into writing Dogani. Many online readers who felt the shocking pain when reading Dogani, pushed for the exposure of this forgotten case to the whole country. With the readers support, the official novel was published in 2009 and came to be cinematized for the big screen in 2011. Just as Gong claimed The truth cannot go to the dogs, the film <Silenced> hopes to expose the terrible truth and will definitely move the hearts of everyone who watches the film. GONG Yoo starts off <Dogani> GONG Yoo is the representative sweet guy of South Korea. In the TV drama series, <Coffee Prince> and films like <Finding Mr. Destiny>, GONG was known for his gentle, romantic characteristics and melted the hearts of female fans across the country. In <Silenced>, he transforms into an extremely dramatic and serious actor, falling out of his normal role as Koreas sweet guy. GONG Yoos character, KANG In-ho is a very thoughtful and earnest art teacher who comforts the wounded children and tells the world about their hidden truth for them. In preparation for the film, GONG learned sign language two months prior to production and was said to have gotten completely enveloped by this particular character. Being extremely involved with developing the character with director HWANG Dong-hyuk, GONG perfected his role with more passion and dedication than ever before. His particular dedication to this film is due to the fact that he was actively invested in the making of the film.

During his military service, he received Gong Jee-youngs novel, Dogani, as a gift. He said he was very shocked and emotionally touched after finishing the book. He thought, I cant believe something like this happened in our society. Why didnt I know about this? After he was finished with his military service, GONG expressed passionate interest in turning this novel into a film by contacting the author. He believed that the film could be a powerful form of media that would expose the truth about these suffering children throughout the country. Due to his influential role in bringing the news out of the closet, <Silenced> has created a social uprising that the victims of molestation and abuses have been yearning for their entire lives.

Production Note
Real tears stained within <Silenced> The article describing the courtroom trial, which inspired author Gong Jee-young to begin her work on Dogani held the same significance to director HWANG Dong-hyuk. The hearing impaired lashing out in anger when the perpetrators received light sentencing is something that struck Director HWANG when preparing to portray the hardships of the endless battle against the strong. While toiling with how to direct the particular courtroom scenes more realistically, director HWANG eventually decided to have real people who are hearing impaired act in the film. While recruiting actors for these courtroom scenes, they came across someone who had actually attended the same school in Gwangju years ago. Having been a part of the unbelievable case in actuality, filming the courtroom scenes for <Silenced> brought back the emotional memories of those difficult times. When filming the particular scene of the perpetrators getting released on probation, the man was immersed with emotions of despair and frustration and had bursted into tears. His real emotions captured on camera are sure to reach out to viewers and leave a deep, resonating impression.

Character & Cast

Gong Yoo as Kang In-Ho

In-ho takes on a new job as an art teacher at Ja-ae Academy, a school for deaf children. In the seemingly loving and caring school, In-ho finds out that the children have been suffering from severe assaults of abuse and molestation at the hands of the school's teachers. He begins to dig up the horrifying truth regarding the many incidents that occurred between the students and teachers. Filmography Finding Mr. Destiny (2010); Coffee Prince (TV, 2007); Shes on Duty (2005); Spy Girl (2004); My Tutor Friend (2003) GONG Yoo Interview What kind of character is KANG In-ho? He is a teacher who takes on a new post as an art teacher at a school for the hearing impaired upon recommendation from a college professor. He faces an unbelievable case and struggles to resolve it. In-ho is not the usual heroic character that most people are familiar with, but just an average, lower middle class man next door. What do you think about your acting transformation? I usually took on bright, cheery roles in the past. This film deals with a dark chapter in society, so Ill be showing a slightly different character. However, I didnt start this film thinking I have to make a transformation. I fell into the film before I could even think about my acting transformation, and I naturally lived like KANG In-ho and how he felt for about 4 months. You had a special connection to Dogani? During my military service, I received GONG Jee-youngs novel, Dogani as a present from my commander when I made rank to sergeant. From the first page to the last page of the book, I was shocked that such events actually took place. My heart was racing and I felt really drawn to it. During my last vacation out from the military, I inquired about adapting GONG Jee-youngs novel into a film. This is why the movie has a particularly significant meaning for me. Was acting in sign language difficult? I learned sign language with the child actors around 2 to 3 months prior to production. Most people have the tendency to connect sign language to a disability, but after learning it, I realized its just another language like any other. Because of the excitement of learning something new, it was fun rather than hard to learn, and I was able to feel things Ive never felt before. It was really fresh and new to me because it is a language that involves a lot of facial expressions as well. How was it acting alongside JUNG Yu-mi and the child actors?

JUNG Yu-mi has the gift of making everyone around happy. Ive always wanted to work with her, so it was great to be starring together. And I love children. There were a lot of sensitive aspects to the child actors roles in this film, so that concerned me the most. Despite our worries, the child actors gave cool, calm performances. I was so thankful. The childrens bright, cheerfulness and actress JUNG Yu-mis reassuring talents made the set fun and cheery. What kind of film do you hope <Silenced> will be to the audiences? <Silenced> has a more special meaning to me than any of my past works. After reading Dogani, I thought about how Ive been living with my ears and eyes closed and using my busy life as an excuse. I hope this will make people look around them and see that there are many devastating things going on in the world. I filmed <Silenced> hoping viewers will know that this tragic incident actually took place.

Jung Yu-mi as Seo Yu-Jin

Yu-jin is a social worker at the Mujin Human Rights Center. She is a confident, outspoken character with a lot of nerve, but she is also a genuinely caring woman. When In-ho later asks her for help in protecting some children, she immediately lends a hand and works harder than anyone else to resolve the case. Filmography Okis Movie (2010); Come, Closer (2010); My Dear Desperade (2010); A Million (2009); Caf Noir (2009);Chaw (2009); Like You Know It All (2008); Skeletons in the Closet (2007) JUNG Yu-mi Interview Tell us about your character, SEO Yujin? She is a social worker at Mujin Human Rights Center. She finds out about the sexual molestation that took place at Ja-ae Academy through In-ho. She helps In-ho and the children in seeking justice. She is normally a bold woman with a lot of nerve, but she is also a warm, caring person who cannot pass by someone in need of help. Any difficulties deciding to star in this film? I was quite burdened at first because the film is based on a true, dark aspect of society. I was concerned about causing any harm to production and contemplated on whether I was fit to handle a role like this or not. In the end, I decided to take part hoping I could help in any way in seeing this case to justice. What did you focus on most during the production?

I always asked myself, Am I feeling what the character should feel and expressing it fully? Knowing that viewers will watch in empathy with Yu-jin and In-ho, I focused on acting sincerely to convey the characters emotions. How was it acting with the other actors? It was my first time acting with GONG Yoo. We had many scenes together, so I felt really comfortable around him. Since the case was so dark, I felt really sad and sorry after monitoring the child actors scenes. But they were really great as actors. The only thing I could do for the child actors was to watch their scenes and cheer them on. After the shoots, I tried to have fun with them. The children are really bright and healthy. I ended up being the one getting good, positive energy from watching them. What kind of film do you hope <Silenced> will be to the audiences? Things that never should have happened took place. It already happened and its not something that is easy for us to resolve. However, I hope that more and more people will watch the movie and take interest. There are people still fighting against that case. I really think it will be a big help if they are given the support they need by the rest of the world.

Kim Hyun-soo as Kim Yeon-du

Yeon-dus parents died in a car accident when she was 5 years old. Due to the accident, she lost her hearing, but is talented in art and notably mature and clever compared to other children her age. Yeon-du is overly cautious and thinks she must protect her best friend, Yuri. When In-ho recognizes her artistic talent and tries to help her express it, she eventually puts her guard down and opens up to him. Weakened and hurt from running away from the principal, In-ho takes her to the hospital where Yeon-du starts to recount the haunting truth and asks him for help.

Jung In-suh as Jin Yuri

She is an innocent child who loves dolls and snacks, but is also a terrified, timid child. She does not know how to be suspicious of others and gets dreadfully abused by the cunning principal, Chief of Administration, and teacher, Mr. Park Bo-hyun. She is the first to open up to In-ho by giving him a bright smile.

Baik Seung-hwan as Jeon Min-su

Min-sus younger brother, Young-su, commits suicide because he couldnt bear the thought of being sexually molested by his teacher ever again. Minsu is also the target of the same teacher and suffers from humiliation and pain at school every day. After struggling to find the courage to reveal the truth, Minsu tries his best to change his despairing situation.

Director
Capturing an acute sense of the problem and warm human love Director Hwang Dong-hyuk

Director HWANG Dong-hyuk was invited to Cannes International Film Festival for <Miracle Mile> (2005) which captured the life of a Korean teenager adopted abroad, and made a dazzling directorial debut. Later, he went on to direct <My Father> (2007) which starred Daniel Henney and KIM Young-chul. Noted for capturing warm emotions through acute subjectivity, HWANG has set ground as an incredibly talented director of South Korea. I hope people wont forget that this is about a true story. Director HWANG Dong-hyuks debut film, <My Father>, dealt with a very controversial yet emotionally touching true story. For his second feature, <Silenced>, Director HWANG cinematizes an even more shocking true story. He couldnt keep down his anger when he came across this case of sexual molestation that took place at a school for hearing impaired children.

Realizing the perpetrators received little or no legal punishment and that the victims are still fighting a lonely fight, he knew that this case was not over and could not be left neglected. He wanted audiences to know that this unbelievable story was a case in real life that should not be left uncovered. However, that doesnt mean <Silenced> maintains a dark tone throughout the entire film. KANG In-ho and SEO Yu-jins desperate efforts bring hope and trust into the lives of the victimized children. Likewise, In-ho and Yu-jin became stronger people through their efforts in helping the kids. In the bigger frame of things, <Silenced> can be seen as a film of growth, maturation, and hope. Capturing acute viewpoints and warm sentiments, <Silenced> will be an opportunity for audiences to broaden their outlooks and touch upon the strange and sometimes devastating stories about society and human beings. Filmography <My Father>(2007), <Miracle Mile>(2005)

Director HWANG Dong-hyuk Interview How did you come to direct <Silenced>? At first I just read the book knowing it was by author GONG Jee-young. I realized it was based on a true story as I was reading it. Since then, I felt the burden and need to direct it. However, I realized the people involved in the actual case are still in battle and that it is not yet over. I thought that a film could help in some way by changing the minds of people who normally would neglect a story like this one. Also, the original novel contained strong emotions, and I felt the thirst to express that on the big screen. How did you feel when you first came across this true story? Reading the novel itself was so hard that I had to put the book down twice. I was shocked when I found out it was a real-life case and that there were many other horrors related to the actual case. I had the opportunity to meet with the students involved in the actual case and was even more shocked after finding out the true horrors of what they went through. I felt furious that something st so unbelievable like this could happen in the 21 century in our country. It happened at a school of all places. People committed crimes against hearing impaired children and used every possible means to cover it up. The assailants were released with no appropriate judgment by the law. Seeing all this, I realized that there is a tremendous difference between the privileged class and the neglected. GONG Yoos acting transformation and JUNG Yu-mis deeper performances are both very impressive. How did you come to cast them? At first, I didnt think GONG Yoos usual image suited this film. However, when I first met him and talked with him, I saw the actors potential. Seeing how he was so furious after reading the novel and his experiences and thoughts on Korean society, I realized he was an innocent and upright person like KANG In-ho, the main character of the film. Thats how he was cast. And I am fully satisfied by his acting performance. JUNG Yu-mis character is very different from the book. Since the story was very dark and heavy, I needed a character that made things a bit lighter. Thus, the character, SEO Yu-jin, was born. Yu-jin is a character who gets herself into trouble, but is also strong on the inside. JUNG Yu-mis determined and gentle image fit perfectly. She was our number one pick for the role, so we were lucky to have her join in. The young, child actors performances are also outstanding. Was there a standard in casting them? They were the best actors out of all the candidates. Since hearing impaired children cannot speak well, we needed child actors who can freely express emotions with their eyes, face, and hands.

Some children stood out as soon as they stepped into the auditions. They are the ones who took on the roles as Yeon-du, Yuri, and Min-su in <Silenced>. Things were hard for them during the shooting, but they acted so well that I was often surprised. They acted scenes that are even difficult for adult actors. At times, they even expressed things that even adult actors cant express. Recently, the school in question requested for a name change and became a big issue. In this point in time, what kind of role do you hope <Silenced> will play? Along with the news on the school changing names, I heard there are still many unresolved aspects of that case. I dont expect a big change like a full re-investigation into the case as a result of this film. However, I hope many people will come to know that horrible things like this are happening all around us. Though our society may have advanced a lot, there are still savage things taking place. Although there are many neglected and abused children, legal and social systems to protect them are very inadequate. When faced with the uncomfortable truth, people tend to get furious at first and then they soon forget. I hope this film will awaken people to the fact that horrible things that we do not recognize can happen at any time around us. What do you hope <Silenced> will be to the audiences? I do not want to compel feelings of fury or guilt from the audience. Rather than point the finger at society, I just wanted to make a film to show that something like this happened in real life. The actual case itself contains heavy shock and emotional resonance. I think each viewer will feel something from watching it. Whether it be anger, sympathy, or guilt, I hope the film will make the audiences feel something and remember it.