OFFICIAL SELECTION
short in spotlight
Juicy Girl
DIRECTED BY
MJ KIM
Synopsis:
"‘Juicy Girl’ is based on events surrounding the murders of several of the many Korean women committed by US Army personnel since the Korean War of the 1950’s.
1992 South Korea. Soyoung, also known as Annie, is a Juicy Girl. A term used by American soldiers stationed in South Korea for local prostitutes. Soyoung is a trafficking victim, snatched by a gang when in her teens and forced into sex slavery. Sold to a pimp who operates his girls out of a nightclub, exclusively reserved for US Army personnel, Soyoung serves their ‘needs’. Her world is confined and tightly controlled, there is no escape. Soyoung’s only rare moments of joy come when she befriends a young street seller, Hoon a 10 year old boy.
Private Michael Johnstone, a US Army Medic, is a loner and shunned by the other G.I.’s. A narcissist and a misogynist, Johnstone is a psychotic landmine waiting to explode. At the nightclub Soyoung is in his sights, seemingly easy prey he can dominate and humiliate. Choosing his time carefully Johnstone, a master manipulator, romances and finally picks up Soyoung. Except Soyoung doesn’t play by his rules, nor is willing to do as she is told to by Johnstone. Johnstone erupts in a frenzy of brutal and grotesque violence. Leaving her dead and disfigured Johnstone feels no remorse.
Johnstone is arrested for Soyoung’s murder. Under interrogation he denies killing her though all the evidence confirms this. Johnstone is sentenced to life imprisonment. Some years later this sentence comes under review for possible parole. An experienced psychologist, Jane Owens, is brought in to assess Johnstone’s mental state. Owens gains a terrifying insight to Johnstone’s mind. To Johnstone, Annie was a nobody and got what she deserved. She was inferior, an irritating nuisance – just a Juicy Girl. Owens’ firm conclusion is that Johnstone must never be given an early release. He is a danger to society and likely to commit again. But justice can be bought. Soyoung had no protectors. Johnstone has one of the most powerful on earth, The US Army, who want to bring one of their boys back home. The Army coerces Soyoung’s family into accepting compensation for her death, blood money. They have no choice but to accept.
Private Michael Johnstone is released early. A free man.
This leads to outrage from the local populace, for the crime should not have allowed early parole."
DURATION
00:15:30
COUNTRY
South Korea
COMPLETION DATE
2020-02-27
CATEGORY
Crime, Drama, Social, Thriller