Revealing a rarely discussed but strongly enforced law in South Korea, Shadow Flowers follows Ryun-hee Kim, a North Korean woman, who finds herself trapped in South Korea, from where it is illegal to cross to the North. Desperate to return to her family and loved ones, Kim tried to smuggle herself out and even sought … [Read More]
Director: Yi Seung-jun
Selected publications
- Chung Hye Seung, David Scott Diffrient: Movie Minorities: Transnational Rights Advocacy and South Korean Cinema, Rutgers University Press 2021
In the Absence screens at ICA, with Q+A
Amid all the justified excitement about Parasite, let’s not forget that Korea has another film with an Oscar nomination this year. Its producer, Gary Byung-Seok Kam, is in town to answer your questions at a screening at the ICA this weekend. In the Absence Dir Yi Seung-Jun, South Korea / USA 2018, 29 min., Korean … [Read More]
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 … [Read More]
In the Absence – a brief Sewol documentary that packs a punch
Some of the best things come in small sizes, and this documentary about the Sewol tragedy is one of them. In the Absence: in the absence of a serious rescue effort, in the absence of decent, serious reporting by the mainstream media, in the absence of many other things. The documentary is only 29 minutes … [Read More]
Screening + Q+A: In the Absence
From the director / producer team that brought you Planet of Snail comes a documentary on the sinking of the Sewol: In the Absence (2018) with Gary Byung-Seok Kam (Producer) 6 February 2019, 7:15 – 8:30 PM SOAS | Brunei Gallery Room: BG01 | Online Registration required Grand Jury Award, DOC NYC 2018 Official selection, … [Read More]
A look at the 2016 London Korean Film Festival programme
Oooh oooh oooh my favourite film of 2012, and in a shortlist for my film of the decade is being screened again. I thought it would never find its way back into a London theatre and that I’d never have the pleasure of seeing it again, because it’s not the sort of movie that they’re … [Read More]
Planet of Snail: amusing, touching and life-affirming
Soon-ho: What are you doing? Young-chan: I’m talking to the tree Soon-ho: Is it fun? Young-chan: We’re on a date Soon-ho: Can I join in? Soon-ho interrupts her husband who has been tenderly running his fingers over the trunk of a pine tree, feeling the contours of every crevice in the bark. The conversation, at … [Read More]
Planet of Snail at the ICA
Hot on the heels of Arirang, the somewhat narcissistic documentary by Kim Ki-duk, comes the award-winning documentary Planet of Snail by Yi Seung-jun, which promises to be both moving and life-affirming. It was LKL’s film of the year last year, so we’re very glad to see that it’s got a UK release. Planet of Snail … [Read More]