POV Season 31 Episode 17 The Apology

The POV season 31 episode 17, titled "The Apology," is a powerful documentary that explores the complicated relationship between Japan and South Korea, and the ongoing legacy of Japan's wartime atrocities in Korea. The film centers around the story of the "comfort women" – Korean women who were forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military during World War II.

The Apology follows the journeys of three "comfort women" – Grandma Gil in South Korea, Grandma Cao in China, and Grandma Adela in the Philippines – as they fight for an official apology from the Japanese government and for reparations for the injustices they suffered during the war. The film interweaves their stories with those of their family members and supporters, as well as interviews with historians and activists who have been working to bring the issue to light.

Through the women's testimony, we learn about the harrowing conditions they endured in the Japanese military's brothels, from the physical abuse to the emotional trauma of being separated from their families and forced into a life of sexual slavery. They speak about the shame, stigma, and isolation that they faced for many years as survivors of this kind of violence and exploitation, and the ways that their experiences have affected their families and communities.

At the same time, The Apology also casts a critical eye on the power dynamics at play in the fight for justice, both in terms of the deep-rooted animosity between Japan and Korea, and within the divided communities of survivors themselves. We see how the women struggle to reconcile their desire for closure and redress with the fear of being seen as "traitors" by their own people or as "betrayers" by the Japanese government.

Throughout the course of the documentary, we witness the women's determination and strength, as they travel across borders, speak at public rallies, and confront Japanese officials in their quest for justice. We also see the complexities and nuances of the issue, as different generations and perspectives clash over what kind of justice is truly attainable.

The Apology is a deeply moving and thought-provoking film that speaks to the ongoing challenges of reckoning with the legacies of war, colonialism, and violence. Through the stories of these remarkable women, we are reminded of the importance of listening to survivor testimony, of recognizing how past injustices continue to shape the present, and of the need to work towards a more just and compassionate world.