The sinking of the Sewol ferry in 2014 claimed over 300 lives, mostly high school students on a field trip. Produced by Lee Chang-dong, and directed by his protégé Lee Jong-un, this devastating yet cathartic film gently revisits the grieving families and community shattered by the national tragedy, which helped topple President Park Geun-hye. Jeon Do-yeon, who won Best Actress at Cannes for Secret Sunshine, takes the mater dolorosa role to a new level of pathos. You’ll have no tears left by the end.

Director: Lee Jong-un
Cast: Sul Kyung-gu, Jeon Do-yeon, Kim Bo-min

Runtime: 120 mins