A Little Pond (2010 Film)

A Little Pond (Korean: 작은 연못; RR: Jageun Yeonmot) is a 2010 South Korean war drama film directed by Lee Sang-Woo. The film depicts the No Gun Ri massacre, an incident during the early stages of the Korean War in July 1950, in which a large number of South Korean refugees were killed by United States military forces.

Background and Production

The film is based on historical accounts of the No Gun Ri massacre, specifically drawing from investigative reporting that received a Pulitzer Prize in 2000 and the 2002 book The Bridge at Nogunri. The production aimed to dramatize the experiences of villagers from Jugok who were displaced during the conflict and subsequently caught in a military engagement.

Plot

Set in July 1950, the story follows the residents of Jugok Village as they are ordered to evacuate their homes by retreating United States forces. Believing they are being moved to safety, the villagers travel south. Upon reaching the area near No Gun Ri, the group is subjected to aerial bombardment and ground fire from U.S. troops, who suspected that North Korean soldiers were hiding among the civilian refugees. The narrative focuses on the survival of a small group of villagers following the four-day engagement.

Release and Festivals

A Little Pond held its world premiere at the 14th Pusan International Film Festival on October 8, 2009. It received a theatrical release in South Korea on April 15, 2010. The film was subsequently screened at several international events, including the 9th New York Asian Film Festival and the 14th Fantasia Film Festival in 2010.