Innocent Witness:
Purity in the Midst of a Trial
The simple Korean title, Witness, receives an addition in the English version: Innocent Witness. At first glance, this seems somewhat redundant; after all, what else could a witness be but innocent? Moreover, from the perspective of their testimony, whether they are innocent or not is entirely indifferent. However, the word "innocent" has multiple meanings, and thus, besides guiltlessness, it can also refer to purity and incorruptibility.
Although we are presented with a flawlessly executed courtroom story, the twists—while interesting—may feel familiar from many other tales. Proving the defendant's innocence or guilt becomes merely a frame for another story: the personal drama of the prosecutor. We could list numerous examples of a talented young professional committed to bettering the world being approached by "dark forces," where the question is whether they surrender or take up the fight against them. What makes this film unique is the building of the connection between the prosecutor and the witness, and all the lessons of this mutual process, which go far beyond their individual story. Much like its famous predecessor, Rain Man, this film is a manifesto for a group of people whom we are not only prone to misunderstand but perhaps never truly get to know at all.
The prosecutor must study autism and discover how to communicate with the girl. The defense lawyer competes for the same goal; although he appears conspicuously clumsy in the courtroom, he starts with an "advantage" on this field, as his brother is also autistic, giving him substantial knowledge and experience in this area. The prosecutor, however, is persistent and relentless for the sake of the goal; he learns and creatively applies what he has acquired. Yet, he does not expect to receive something in return—something he might not have been capable of alone: help in facing himself. Meanwhile, we learn about the autistic girl's fears, behavioral peculiarities, and extraordinary abilities. We see how her environment—the "normal" world—relates to her. The prosecutor's understanding and deep humanity are required for there to be two moral victors at the end of the story. This outcome is predictable, but it is not the film's most important message, as that is packaged within the process itself.
The two lead actors who guide us through this process are true heavyweights. Jung Woo-sung has never had a role that didn't radiate an immensely natural simplicity—from the warrior in Musa through the husband in A Moment to Remember to his current performance, which is once again stunning in this regard. He is capable of conveying complex emotions with subtle nuances. A memorable example of this is how we can read from his facial expression what he truly feels regarding his self-sacrifice for his father.
In the first scene featuring the girl playing the witness, Kim Hyang-gi, the feeling that I was watching an actress briefly flashed through me, but she made me forget this in moments, so deeply did she become one with the character. She portrayed the various symptoms with marvelous precision, as well as the determination with which she wanted to break out of their spell—since many people with Asperger's are aware of their own condition. The exceptionally young actress, who already possesses a significant cinematic background (including lead roles in A Werewolf Boy and Snowy Road), was able to convey the pains of Jiwoo's realizations and the inner strength with which she was able to rise above them in a heart-wrenching way.
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| Director Lee Han |
The supporting actors are excellent without exception. In the role of the prosecutor's father, Kim Jong-soo provides a performance worthy of an award. Jiwoo's mother (Jang Youngnam) also carves into our memory the image of a loving and accepting mother who is proud of her extraordinary child. In the role of the defendant, Yum Hye-ran is convincing in every aspect of the character. Alongside the witness, the defense lawyer—portrayed by Lee Kyu-hyung—also earns the "innocent" label, as his purity and commitment are felt behind his fumbling throughout.
From director Lee Han, we received a smooth, enjoyable film that is simultaneously an extremely disciplined work. It shows exactly as much of everything as is necessary, leaning neither toward thrills nor sentimentality. Instead, we receive a precisely told story (co-authored by Moon Jiwon), with tension well-maintained throughout and images rich in emotion. The film deservedly received a multitude of nominations and awards.
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