Watch The Apology

The Apology is a 2016 documentary film directed by Tiffany Hsiung. The film tells the emotional stories of three former "comfort women", who were among the thousands of young girls and women taken from their homes and forced to serve as sex slaves for Japanese soldiers during World War II. The Apology reveals the impact of this traumatic experience on the lives of the women, as well as their families and communities. The film explores questions of justice, reparations, and reconciliation, as the women courageously confront the Japanese government and demand an official apology and compensation for the injustices they suffered.

The three women featured in the film come from different parts of Asia and have unique stories to tell. Grandma Gil from Korea was only 13 years old when she was taken by the Japanese soldiers. She survived the war and later went on to become an activist and advocate for the rights of comfort women. Grandma Adela from the Philippines was also taken at a young age and spent years in captivity before being able to return home. She suffered from PTSD and struggled to come to terms with the trauma she had endured. Grandma Cao from China was the last surviving comfort woman in her village and searched for years for a way to have her story heard.

The Apology combines interviews with the women, their families, and other survivors, with historical footage and dramatized reenactments of their experiences. The film also shows the efforts of activists and advocates around the world who are working to raise awareness about the history of the comfort women and to seek justice for them.

Through their own words and experiences, the women in The Apology show the devastating impact that sexual violence and trauma can have on individuals, families, and communities. They also demonstrate the resilience and strength that is possible in the face of unimaginable suffering.

The film is not only a powerful testament to the courage and resilience of the comfort women, but also a call to action for governments and individuals around the world to recognize the injustice that was done to them and to work towards healing and reconciliation.

Overall, The Apology is a deeply moving and thought-provoking film that sheds light on a little-known and often-overlooked chapter in world history. Through the voices of the comfort women and their advocates, the film challenges us to confront the legacy of sexual violence and exploitation, and to work towards a more just and equitable world for all.

The Apology is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6.