With a production cost of ₩24 billion,[2]Escape from Mogadishu was anticipated to release in the summer of 2020 but its release was postponed due to the resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was released theatrically on July 28, 2021, by Lotte Entertainment in IMAX format.[9][10] It received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its action scenes, humorous plot, direction, and its vivid acting performances.[11]
On accounting for its box office performance, the film ranked number 5 at the worldwide box office in the first week of August 2021 as per American Media Screen Daily report on August 11.[12] Within 56 days of release, it surpassed 3.5 million admissions, and became the first Korean film in 2021 to do so.[13] As of December 31, 2021[update], it is the highest-grossing Korean film of 2021, with a gross of US$29 million and 3.61 million admissions.[14]
In 1991, Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, is under Barre's government but threatened by rebels. North and South Korean embassies vie for UN support, leading to a tense encounter when South Korean Ambassador Han Sin-seong is robbed en route to meet President Barre, missing the appointment. It is revealed that North Korean intelligence officer Tae Jun-ki orchestrated the robbery, causing friction between the Korean diplomats.
As civil war erupts, both embassies find themselves trapped and struggling to leave the country. Sin-seong’s wife is in danger, and multiple failed attempts to reach the airport ensue. North Koreans also face betrayal and violence, leading them to seek refuge at the South Korean embassy. Despite initial distrust, they unite for survival, navigating the chaos together.
The diplomats form a plan to escape, securing a spot on an Italian Red Cross evacuation flight by claiming the North Koreans are defectors. They prepare makeshift armored vehicles and white flags for safe passage, but are nearly thwarted by miscommunications and confrontations with Somali forces. Eventually, they reach the Italian embassy, narrowly escaping with their lives.
Upon reaching Mombasa, the Korean diplomats realize they must part ways to avoid repercussions from their respective governments. Despite having bonded through their ordeal, they split into their original groups, boarding separate buses to join their delegations, with a final glance acknowledging their shared experience.
Cast
Kim Yoon-seok as Han Sin-seong, Ambassador of South Korea to Somalia[19]
Zo In-sung as Kang Dae-jin, a South Korean ANSP operative and attached as counselor of the embassy[20]
Heo Joon-ho as Rim Yong-su, Ambassador of North Korea to Somalia[19]
Koo Kyo-hwan as Tae Jun-ki, a North Korean MSS operative and attached as counselor of the embassy
Kim So-jin as Kim Myung-hee, wife of Ambassador Han
Jung Man-sik as Gong Su-cheol, secretary of Ambassador Han
Kim Jae-hwa as Jo Soo-jin, staff officer of the Embassy of South Korea
Park Kyung-hye as Park Ji-eun, translator of the Embassy of South Korea
Andrew Ng'ang'a as Swama, a Somali employee of the Embassy of South Korea[25]
Production
On June 10, 2019, Kim Yoon-seok and Zo In-sung positively considered appearing for director Ryoo Seung-wan's film Escape from Mogadishu. This was first appearance of the actors together as well as their first appearance in a Ryoo Seung-wan's film.[26]Heo Joon-ho confirmed his appearance in June 2019.[19]
The film was entirely shot in Morocco in the second half of 2019.[27] The post production work started in May 2020.[28]
Release
On July 22, 2021, CJ CGV announced that the film would be screened at all theaters including IMAX, ScreenX, 4DX, and 4DX screens starting on July 28, 2021. It is the second Korean film after the 2020 action-horror film Peninsula to simultaneously screen in all formats in the CGV special theaters.[29]
Escape from Mogadishu was invited to be the opening film of the 20th New York Asian Film Festival. The two-week festival was held from August 6 to 22, 2021 in New York. The film was screened at Walter Reade Theater, Film at Lincoln Center on August 6, 2021,[30] and at 10th Korean Film Festival Frankfurt on October 20, 2021, as opening film.[31] The film was invited to the New Zealand International Film Festival in Wellington edition was screened on November 5, 2021.[32][33] It was also screened as the opening film of 16th London Korean Film Festival on November 8, 2021.[34]
The film is being screened in 42 theaters in North America as of August 11, 2021.[12][35]
In April 2022, it was selected at the 24th edition of Far East Film Festival at Udine held from April 22 to 30.[36]
It will be re-released in its second run on September 7, 2022, in theatres coinciding with Chuseok holidays.[37]
Home media
The film was made available for streaming globally on Amazon Prime Video from February 2022. Soon after, it was released in India.[38]
Reception
Box office
The film was released on July 28, 2021, on 1,688 screens.[39] According to the integrated computer network for movie theater admissions by the Korea Film Council (KoFiC), the film ranked at first place at the Korean box office by recording 75,624 pre-order audiences as on July 28, 2021, surpassing the audiences of Jungle Cruise.[40] The film set the record for the best opening of the year 2021 for all the Korean films released as of July 28, by getting 126,626 audience on the day of release.[41] The film maintained its first place at the Korean box office on second day with addition of 89,826 viewers and taking cumulative audience to 226,569.[42] The film by mobilizing 540,000 cumulative audience in 4 days of release became the first Korean film in 2021 to garner 500,000 audience in the shortest period of time. It is also maintaining its number one position at the Korean box office.[43]
The film garnered 1 million cumulative audiences in 7 days of release, thereby becoming highest grosser Korean film of 2021 surpassing the box office figures of film Hard Hit.[44] It surpassed 2 million cumulative audience on 17th day of its release[45] and 3 million on 33rd day of release.[46] It took 56 days for the film to cross 3.5 million mark. It is the first Korean film to cross 3.5 million cumulative audience in 2021.[13]
According to Korean Film Council (Kofic) data, as of December 31, 2021[update] it is the second highest-grossing film among all the films released in the year 2021 in South Korea, and highest-grossing Korean film with gross of US$29 million and 3.61 million admissions.[14][4][39] And, as per Box Office Mojo it ranks 89 at 2021 Worldwide Box Office.[47]
Critical response
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 93% of 30 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.60/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "Its depiction of actual events is questionable, but Escape from Mogadishu is sleekly effective as an intelligent, well-acted action thriller."[11]
Kim Ji-eun reviewing for Newsis wrote that the action scenes were spectacular and the humor, though small, stood out. She opined that the film vividly portrayed the horrors of war and the emotions of the characters who faced it. Kim felt that the exotic scenery of Morocco, the filming location, in itself was the main character in the film. Ending her review she wrote, "It's not light entertainment. While the heavy historical background and setting dominate the screen, attention is focused on what kind of variable the restrained emotion that utilizes reality, will affect the box office performance."[48]
Kim Seong-hyeon writing for YTN felt that director Ryoo Seung-wan had reproduced the Somali civil war in 1990 as if it were in 2021, and portrayed the tense situation so well that the audience would experience it vividly. Mentioning the escape scene from the city center, Kim said that it was a highlight of the film. The reviewer felt that even in tense situations the humor was well placed. He pointed out that some conversations and actions of characters and of the Somali people seemed to contain intentional messages, but concluded the review with, "Nevertheless, Escape from Mogadishu offers intense cinematic pleasure enough to offset all of this."[49]
Kim Ji-won of Ten Asia opened the review writing, "Audio-visual pleasure and humanism that transcends ideology are properly harmonized. .... the action scenes contain the desperate psychology of the characters, bringing both entertainment and depth." She opined that the escape scene was highlight of the film, as the sequence conveyed the hopelessness of the characters, the horrors of war and the smell of sweat. She praised the performance of ensemble and wrote, ".... the supporting actors played their roles in their respective places, completing a lively story."
Concluding her review, Kim wrote, "Most of the Korean films, which are about inter-Korean conflicts, use a squeezing code of tears, but Escape from Mogadishu gives a neat impression with dramatic and simple expressions without being overly emotional."[50]
Cary Darling reviewing the film rated it 4 out of 5 stars and expressed the opinion that, "[..] an involving and suspenseful action-thriller that Ryoo Seung-wan handles with flair, capably staging big action scenes — like the final, nerve-rattling drive to potential salvation — while not neglecting the human stories at their heart."[51]
Roger Moore reviewing the film rated it 3.5 out of 5 stars, and wrote that the sets of firefights were as good as Ridley Scott's Black Hawk Down, but the struggle to escape was more on a human level than a flamboyant one. He liked the climax scenes where convoy of cars were moving in a hail of Molotov cocktails and bullets, and concluded, "You want great action? Eschew the comic book movies and read a few subtitles. Escape from Mogadishu is in a league of its own this summer."[52]
Richard Kuipers of Variety praising the screenplay and direction by Ryoo Seung-wan said, "propulsive and intelligently written South Korean adventure thriller" has been 'energetically' directed. He also praised the performance of its ensemble cast. Kuipers appreciating the climax of chasing bashed-up cars on the streets of Mogadishu concluded, "Even though the outcome is never in doubt, the execution of this survival run is genuinely thrilling."[53]
Evan Dossey of Midwest Film Journal wrote that the characters of the film are aptly defined. He praised Ryoo Seung-wan's script and said, "[he] makes sure the conflicts are expressed through compelling, well-developed characters." Dossey concluded, "Escape from Mogadishu is a tense political thriller so don’t go in expecting an action film. [....] instead, prepare yourself for a well-written story of conflicting politics that asks where nationality must end for humanity to persevere."[54]
Panos Kotzathanasis reviewing for HanCinema highlighted three elements of the direction of Ryoo Seung-wan in the film. In his opinion the first was characterization, which has helped the actors to give laudable performances. The second was the action for which Kotzathanasis praised the cinematography of Choi Young-hwan, terming it "exceptional", and the editing of Lee Gang-hui. And the third was narrative, having humor, "[..] which appears in the most unexpected moments in order to lighten the mood". Kotzathanasis ends the review with, "Escape from Mogadishu is a great action movie that also works very well on a contextual level, due to the plethora of sociopolitcal elements included."[55]
Anna Smith for Deadline, wrote that Escape from Mogadishu is an engrossing film, which reminded her of Ben Affleck’s escape thriller Argo and 2005 French war film Joyeux Noël by Christian Carion. Smith liked the setting of scenes, characters and humor in the film and said, "Propelled by a naturally cinematic true story, the thriller blends action with humor and heart to crowd-pleasing effect."[56]
Lee Jutton of Film Inquiry, calling the humor in the film "a huge asset", concluded the review as "With stellar performances from everyone involved, especially Kim and Heo as the rival ambassadors turned temporary allies, it’s easy to become wholly engaged by a blockbuster like Escape from Mogadishu."[57]
Carla Hay of Culture Mix, praised the performance of lead cast in the film writing, "All of the principal cast members give solid performances." She opined that the film had many heart throbbing, uncertain and unexpected situations taking film to climax. Carla concluded the review writing, "And it’s a memorable depiction of what people will or will not do to hold on to patriotic allegiances when there are life-or-death decisions to be made."[58]
James Marsh reviewing for South China Morning Post rated the film with 3 out of 5 stars and said, "Ryoo, who specialises in testosterone-fuelled action cinema, makes good use of his dusty, arid locations to accentuate the characters' overwhelming sense of peril and vulnerability."[59]
^Lee Da-won (June 14, 2021). "덱스터 스튜디오, '모가디슈'로 또 한 번 주목" [Dexter Studios pays attention once again with 'Mogadishu']. Sports Trend (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
^Kim Ji-hye (June 14, 2021). "'모가디슈' 기대감 높은 이유…류승완의 연출력X덱스터의 기술력" [Reasons for high expectations for 'Mogadishu'... Ryoo Seung-wan's directing ability X Dexter's technology]. SBS Entertainment News (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
^Bae Hyo-joo (June 22, 2021). "'모가디슈' 7월28일 개봉‥김윤석X조인성 혼신의 탈출 예고편 공개" ['Mogadishu' released on July 28th ... Trailer of escape of Kim Yun-seok X Jo In-seong released]. Newsen (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
^Park Mi-ae (July 2, 2021). "압도적인 스크린서…류승완 '모가디슈' IMAX 개봉 확정" [Overwhelming screen... Ryoo Seung-wan's 'Mogadishu' confirmed for IMAX release]. Edaily Star (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
^ abKim Ji-eun (September 21, 2021). "올해 최고 흥행작 '모가디슈' 350만 관객 돌파" ['Mogadishu', the highest-grossing film of the year, surpassed 3.5 million viewers]. Newsis (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
^Bae Hyo-joo (December 22, 2021). "올해 최고 흥행작 '모가디슈' 美 아카데미 시상식 진출 불발" ['Mogadishu', the highest-grossing film of the year, fails to advance to the Academy Awards]. Newsen (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
^ abKim No-eul (October 7, 2021). "'모가디슈' 작품상 포함 6관왕→유아인·전종서 주연상 쾌거(종합)[2021 부일영화상]" ['Mogadishu' 6 awards including Best Picture → Yoo Ah-in and Jeon Jong-seo's Best Leading Achievement (Comprehensive) [2021 Buil Film Awards]]. Newsen (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
^ abHan Hyun-jung (November 26, 2021). "'모가디슈', '청룡' 작품상 등 5관왕…설경구·문소리 주연상[종합]" [5 crowns including Best Picture for 'Mogadishu' and 'Blue Dragon'... Seol Kyung-gu, Moon So-ri Best Leading Actor [Comprehensive]]. Star Today (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
^Jeon Hyung-hwa (June 8, 2021). "[단독]류승완 감독 '모가디슈' 올여름 개봉 확정..유일 韓텐트폴" [[Exclusive] Director Ryu Seung-wan's 'Mogadishu' is confirmed to be released this summer..The only Korean tentpole]. Star News (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
^Kang Hyo-jin (July 31, 2021). "[무:비하인드]'모가디슈' 윤경호, 특별출연 위해 모로코 날아간 사연" [[No: Behind the Scenes] 'Mogadishu' Yoon Kyung-ho, the story of flying to Morocco for a special appearance]. Spotify News (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
^Jeong Hwa (June 10, 2019). "[단독]김윤석·조인성, 류승완 감독 '탈출'로 첫 호흡" [[Exclusive] Kim Yun-seok, Jo In-seong, first breath with director Ryu Seung-wan's 'Escape']. Star News (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
^Kim Ji-eun (July 22, 2021). "CGV, '모가디슈' 모십니다...아이맥스·4DX 등 특별관 상영" [CGV welcomes 'Mogadishu'... Screening in special theaters such as IMAX and 4DX]. Newsis (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
^"Escape from Mogadishu". Korean Film Festival Frankfurt. WordPress. October 20, 2021. Archived from the original on December 29, 2021. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
^Kim Ji-eun (August 10, 2021). "'모가디슈' 북미 개봉…"단연 올해 최고의 한국영화" 호평" ['Mogadishu' opens in North America... "Best Korean movie of the year by far"]. Newsis (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
^Choo Seung-hyun (August 22, 2022). "'모가디슈' 9월 7일 재개봉…추석 특수 극장가 활기" ['Mogadishu' will be re-released on September 7th... Chuseok special theater district bustling]. Seoul Economic Daily (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
^Jeong Hyung-hwa (July 28, 2021). "'모가디슈' 예매 1위 개봉..문화가있는날 마지막 5천원 개봉" ['Mogadishu' opens first in pre-order... Last 5,000 won on Culture Day]. Star News (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
^Kim Mi-hwa (July 29, 2021). "'모가디슈' 2021년 韓영화 최고 오프닝 [공식]" ['Mogadishu' Best Opening for Korean Movies in 2021 [Official]]. Star News (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
^Kim Mi-hwa (August 1, 2021). "'모가디슈', 개봉 4일만 54만 돌파..2021 韓영화 최단 흥행 [공식]" ['Mogadishu' surpasses 540,000 in just 4 days of release... The shortest box office hit for a Korean movie in 2021 [Official]]. Star News (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
^Kim Ji-eun (August 3, 2021). "'모가디슈' 올해 한국영화 최고 흥행작…100만 돌파(종합)" ['Mogadishu' is the highest-grossing Korean movie of the year... Exceeded 1 million (total)]. Newsis (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
^Kim Ji-won (August 13, 2021). "[공식] '모가디슈' 올해 한국영화 최초 200만 돌파" [[Official] 'Mogadishu' surpasses 2 million for the first time in a Korean movie this year]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
^Noh Kyu-min (August 29, 2021). "'모가디슈' 오늘(29일) 300만 돌파…'블랙 위도우' 제치고 '최고 흥행작'" ['Mogadishu' surpassed 3 million today (29th)... ‘Black Widow’ surpasses ‘Best-grossing Film’]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
^Kim Ji-eun (July 24, 2021). "[리뷰]'국뽕'·K신파 걷어낸 류승완표 묵직한 탈출극…'모가디슈'" [[Review] Ryoo Seung-wan Pyo's heavy escape from 'Gukbong' · K-new wave... 'Mogadishu']. Newsis (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
^Kim Seong-hyeon (July 24, 2021). "[Y리뷰] '모가디슈' 생존을 향한 피땀 눈물… 숨 막힐 듯 강렬한 영화적 체험" [[Y Review] Blood sweat and tears for survival in 'Mogadishu'... Breathtakingly intense cinematic experience]. YTN (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
^Kim Ji-won (July 25, 2021). "[TEN 리뷰] 김윤석X조인성 '모가디슈', 감정은 담백하게 액션은 스펙터클하게" [[TEN Review] Kim Yun-seok X Jo In-seong 'Mogadishu', the emotion is plain, the action is spectacular]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
^Lee Joon-hyun (October 7, 2021). "조인성·이솜, 부일영화상 올해의 스타상 [2021 부일영화상]" [Jo In-seong, Esom, Buil Film Awards Star of the Year [2021 Buil Film Awards]]. Star News (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
^Jeong Hyung-hwa (November 1, 2021). "42회 청룡영화상 11월26일 개최..'모가디슈' 최다 후보" [42nd Blue Dragon Film Awards held on November 26th... Most nominations for 'Mogadishu']. Star News (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
^Kim Nara (November 1, 2021). [제42회 청룡영화상, 후보 발표…류승완 '모가디슈' 최다 부문 노미네이트 [공식] [42nd Blue Dragon Film Awards, nominations announced... Ryoo Seung-wan 'Mogadishu' Nominated for Most Category [Official]]. My Daily (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
^Jina Son (November 26, 2021). "구교환·송중기·전여빈·임윤아, 인기상 수상 [제42회 청룡영화상]" [Koo Gwan-hwa, Song Joong-ki, Jeon Yeo-bin, Lim Yoon-ah, Popularity Award [42nd Blue Dragon Film Awards]]. MK Sports (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
^Kim Yu-jin (November 10, 2021). "설경구·문소리, 제41회 영평상 남녀주연상…'자산어보' 최우수작품상 [종합]" [Seol Kyung-gu and Moon So-ri, 41st Youngpyeong Awards Best Actress... 'Jasaneobo' Best Picture [General]]. Export News (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
^Lee Jae-Hoon (December 6, 2021). "'모가디슈', 영화제작가협회상 작품상…고두심·설경구 주연상" ['Mogadishu' wins Best Picture at the Film Producers Association... Go Doo-shim and Seol Kyung-gu Best Actor]. Newsis (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
^"제 58회 백상예술대상" [58 Nominees · Works]. Baeksang Arts Awards (in Korean). April 11, 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
^Ahn Byung-gil (April 11, 2022). "58회 백상예술대상 후보 공개…영광의 주인공은?" [58th Baeksang Arts Awards nominations revealed... Who is the hero of glory?]. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved April 11, 2022.
^"후보자(후보작) 리스트" [Candidate (Nominations) List]. Chunsa Film Festival (in Korean). August 26, 2022. Archived from the original on September 28, 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
^"후보자(후보작) 리스트" [Chunsa International Film Festival Award/Invited List]. Daum (in Korean). October 1, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
^"수상자(수상작) 리스트" [List of winners (award winners)]. Chunsa Film Festival (in Korean). October 1, 2022. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022. Retrieved December 10, 2022.