Sewol Disaster 5 Year Anniversary: Screening of In the Absence

As part of a programme of events organised by Remembering Sewol UK commemorating the 5th anniversary of the Sewol ferry disaster, the KCC is screening two short documentaries. The Producer of In the Absence, Gary Byung-Seok Kam, will be answering questions afterwards. This documentary is not to be missed: its screening at SOAS last term was profoundly moving.

Short documentary double bill

Wednesday 17 April 2019, 7:00 pm @KCCUK | Register on Eventbrite

This event is co-hosted by Remembering Sewol UK, a London based group formed immediately after the tragedy to support victims’ families and raise awareness. April 13th sees their 60th ‘Stay Put’ monthly silent protest in Trafalgar Square.

In the Absence

Director: Seung-Jun Yi (29mins, 2018)
Producer: Gary Byung-Seok Kam

A painfully honest account of the Sewol Ferry Disaster of April 2014, which claimed 304 lives including 250 high school children. In a deeply affecting work, the filmmakers eschew sensationalism and sentimentality, to present eye-witness accounts, news and archival footage. Observing the grief and anger of family members, the film leaves viewers to draw their own conclusions on the tragic incident.

In the Absence won the Grand Jury Prize at the DOC NYC festival in 2018. There will be a Q&A with producer Gary Byung-Seok Kam after the screening.

Mom, The First and Last Moment of My Life

Director: Solji Yoon (5mins, 2019)

A short and poetic examination of the family ties tragically torn apart by the Sewol Disaster. Told through home videos, photo montage and music, the film won the award for ‘Best Director of a Short Documentary’ at the International Filmmaker Festival of World Cinema in London earlier this year.