When the 127-minute historical drama “Die Heimkehr” (original title: Gwihyang), directed by Cho Jung-rae, was released in South Korea in 2016 – exactly 10 years ago – it was a huge success, selling one million tickets in just five days. The film addresses the fate of the so-called “comfort women” – women and girls who were abducted and sexually enslaved by the Japanese military during World War II. The story centers on two young girls, Jung-min (14) and Young-hee (15), who are taken to a “comfort station” in China.

Just in March of this year, Kang Il-chul, a survivor of the “comfort women” system, passed away at the age of 98. The idea for the film was largely inspired by her painting “Burning Virgins,” which she painted during art therapy. To ensure that her story and the stories of many other affected women are not forgotten and are kept in the collective memory, the film will now be screened in various German cities – in an extended version that is 6 minutes longer and includes previously deleted footage. In addition to Berlin, the film will also be shown in Kassel, Frankfurt am Main, Bonn, Cologne, Göttingen, and Munich.

November 25 is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. As part of this week of action, we invite you to a film screening on Saturday, November 28, at 3:00 PM at Theater X (Reformationskirche, Wiclefstraße 32, 10551 Berlin). We want to create a space for shared reflection and to discuss the film “Die Heimkehr” and its significance together.

 

Before the main film begins, we will also show a short film that delves into the dismantling of our Peace Statue Ari and her story. Both the short film and the main feature will be shown in their original version with German subtitles. Following the screening, we invite you to join a group discussion.

The dismantling of our Peace Statue Ari serves as a warning and reminds us how real the danger is that this history will be made invisible in public spaces and erased from collective memory.

This is precisely why we want to remember and honor the affected women together. Let us ensure that their memory remains alive and is passed on.

Trigger Warning: The film contains depictions of sexual violence and torture, which may be distressing or triggering for some viewers.

Trailer (in original language without subtitles):

Additional Screening Dates & Venues:

Berlin

Time: Sunday, Nov 08, 2026, at 3:00 PM

Venue: Korean Cultural Center Frankfurt

Address: Walter-Kolb-Straße 5–7, Frankfurt am Main

Contact Person: Gang-suk

Contact: sukkang29@gmail.com

 

Kassel

Date & Time: Tuesday, Nov 24, 2026, at 7:00 PM

Venue: Stadtteilzentrum Wesertor – Hall

Address: Weserstraße 26, 34125 Kassel

Contact Person: Sohyeon Hong

Contact: sohyunh71@gmail.com

 

Cologne

Date & Time: To be announced (TBA)

Venue: Fotoraum Köln

Address: Schönhauser Str. 8, 50968 Köln

Contact Person: Hyeon-hee Park

Contact: makerereusse@gmail.com

 

Göttingen

Date & Time: To be announced (TBA)

Venue: To be announced (TBA)

Address: To be announced (TBA)

Contact Person: Seung-ah Son

Contact: sena050502@gmail.com

 

Bonn

Date & Time: To be announced (TBA)

Venue: To be announced (TBA)

Address: To be announced (TBA)

Contact Person: To be announced (TBA)

Contact: To be announced (TBA)

 

Munich

Date & Time: To be announced (TBA)

Venue: To be announced (TBA)

Address: To be announced (TBA)

Contact Person: To be announced (TBA)

Contact: To be announced (TBA)

 

This post is also available in Deutsch.