SEOUL: 1 February 2103 -- Korea has been falling in
love with Les Miserables,
one of the great
literary items of the 19th century, written by Victor Hugo.
The novel
was put to music and had its premiere in London, 8 October
1985. We
then know that it was made into a film by movie director Tom
Hooper,
likewise famous for his Oscar-awarded movie “The King’s
Speech.”
Les Miserables
was released on 19 December 2012 in Korea and more than 1
million
people watched it over just 5 days after the premiere.
According to the
Korean Film Council, Les
Miserables
hit the 5.5 milion viewer mark on 26 January and theatres are
still
crowded with the people wanting to take part in this
phenomenon. The
reason for its popularity seems to be that the movie touches
the hearts
of Koreans who are dealing with economic, psychological,
relational
hardships in their daily life. People seem to consider
themselves as
'the miserable ones' and feel empathy for the characters in
the movie.
In the novel, Victor Hugo suggested characters destined to
fight
against their fate determined by the economic and social ills
of their
time. Fantine worked hard and died in grief and worry over her
daughter
Cosette; Jean Valjean spent 19 years chained and suffering in
slavery
on a charge of stealing a mouthful of bread for his sister’s
child;
then there are the young men who died at the barricades,
fighting for
justice and freedom in the 1832 rebellion: all are 'les
miserables' and
the victims of 19th century ills. Victor hugo tried to suggest
humanity
and charity as the most important solution for the agony of
the people
suffering from poverty, violence and unfairness.
It is less known that Victor Hugo had an opportunity of having
a talk
with Don Bosco in Paris, 1883. Don Bosco and Victor Hugo both
lived
through the economic and political ferment of 19th century
Europe. They
had quite similar perspectives on the situation of society and
both
thought that humanity and charity are the only ways to bring
peace to
the world. However there is also a difference between their
thoughts.
Don Bosco’s humanity was deeply based on religious values
while Hugo’s
humanity was not exactly related to religion. But their
difference was
overcome through the occasion of the interview in which they
shared a
very deep spiritual dialogue in 1883, Paris. To take a look at
their
talk, just follow the link. I am deeply sorry for those who
can’t speak
French! But there's always Google translate!
