The Girl on a Bulldozer (2022 Film)
The Girl on a Bulldozer (Korean: 불도저에 탄 소녀; RR: Bulldozere Tan Sonyeo) is a 2022 South Korean drama film written and directed by Park Ri-Woong. The film explores themes of familial loyalty, systemic injustice, and personal resilience through the perspective of a young woman navigating a personal crisis.
Plot
The story follows 19-year-old Gu Hye-Young (Kim Hye-Yoon), a defiant young woman known for her aggressive demeanor and a dragon tattoo on her arm. She lives with her father, Gu Bon-Jin (Park Hyuk-Kwon), who operates a Chinese restaurant, and her younger sibling. Her life is upended when her father is involved in a mysterious car accident that leaves him in a coma. Left to care for her sibling and manage the aftermath of the incident, Hye-Young begins an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash, eventually uncovering uncomfortable truths that fuel her anger toward the world.
Cast
The film features a central performance by Kim Hye-Yoon, supported by an ensemble cast:
- Kim Hye-Yoon as Gu Hye-Young
- Park Hyuk-Kwon as Gu Bon-Jin
- Oh Man-Seok as Choi Young-Hwan
- Yesung as Go Yoo-Seok
Production and Release
The film was produced by An Byung-Rae with cinematography by Jin Hyun-Woo. It held its world premiere at the Busan International Film Festival on October 8, 2021, before receiving a theatrical release in South Korea on April 7, 2022. The film has a runtime of 112 minutes and was distributed by Little Big Pictures.
Reception and Awards
The Girl on a Bulldozer received critical recognition for its performances and direction. At the 58th Daejong Film Awards in 2022, Park Ri-Woong was honored as Best New Director, and Kim Hye-Yoon received the award for Best New Actress. Kim Hye-Yoon also won the Best New Actress award at the 43rd Blue Dragon Film Awards in 2022.