The recent movie “Unbowed” is a courtroom drama tracing the trial and conviction of a disgruntled professor, and his struggle with the legal system.

A mathematics professor loses his job after taking issue with a math question containing an error that appeared on his school’s entrance exam. Claiming that he was fired unfairly, the professor files a lawsuit against the university and asks for reinstatement. However, the court rules in favor of the university. The professor waits outside the court judge’s apartment with a crossbow in his hand, and when the judge appears, the two engage in a physical scuffle. An apartment security guard arrives at the scene and the judge tells him to call the police. The professor is arrested, but argues that he never really shot the judge. But the judge claims he was shot by an arrow, resulting in a fierce legal battle between the professor and the judiciary.

This legal drama was inspired by the true story of the “crossbow terror” incident in 2007. The occurrence was nearly the equivalent to the story described in the movie. In reality, the former math professor admitted to pointing a crossbow at the judge and demanding a fair trial, but he argued that he never shot the judge. At the time, the shocking incident made headlines in the media and the Seoul High Court dubbed it “terrorism against the judicial system.” The professor lost his appeal and was sentenced to a four-year prison term. He was released in January 2011.

Highlighting the professor’s claim, the movie implies that the evidence in the case might be fabricated by investigators. The audience members slowly side with the professor, given conflicting testimonies and lack of sufficient evidence, such as a broken arrow that goes missing. The Korean title of the movie is literally translated as “broken arrow,” indicating that the film sheds light on the symbol of insufficient evidence in the controversial case and casts doubt on the final ruling. This leads the viewers to believe that the judge wasn’t actually shot by the arrow from the crossbow. Moreover, the viewers find themselves feeling empathy for the professor in the movie, who does not lose his self-righteous manner during the entire trial procedure and even leaves authoritarian judges completely speechless with his own interpretations of the law. The English title of the movie “Unbowed” is apparently more focused on this never-compromising protagonist.

Following the 2011 flick “The Crucible” based on an actual child sex abuse case, “Unbowed” has sparked criticism and debate on and offline. The credibility of the local legal authorities is under discussion as another drama brings light to the so-called “uncomfortable truth” in society. After the film’s release, many people engaged in heated conversations on social networking services. Some condemned the judiciary for its “biased” ruling and demanding that the case be reopened, while others, who believe it’s just a movie, are wary to defend the accused professor as if he was a hero. The phrase in the end credits reads, “The professor is still fighting against the judiciary,” making the flick all the more absorbing.

“Unbowed” received a standing ovation after premiering in the Gala Presentation section of the Busan International Film Festival in October 2011.