Co-Presented by the Hong Kong Arts Centre, DMZ International Documentary Film Festival and Seoul Independent Film Festival, and in collaboration with the Korean Cultural Center in Hong Kong, moving images programme Independently Yours: Women Direct. Korean Indies! – Korean Women Independent Film Series takes place at the Louis Koo Cinema, Hong Kong Arts Centre from 12 December 2020 to 22 May 2021.
In South Korea, women have been voicing out loud through activist movements such as #EscapeTheCorset, #MeToo, #MyLifeIsNotYourPorn, and 4B (or Four Nos – no romance, marriage, sex and childbirth). The first feminist political party, the Women's Party, has also been recently formed to fight for more influence in the development of the deeply patriarchal and conservative Korean society. More prominent and realistic images of women have also appeared in Korean cinema. A growing number of women filmmakers are creating courageous and captivating works to make their views be seen and heard, and #SendingMySpirit also encourages people to buy tickets for films with greater female involvement. The Women Direct. Korean Indies! – Korean Women Independent Film Series brings you on a journey to explore the recent wave of women independent cinema. Our selected works observe and delineate women's places and emotions in the Korean society with great intimacy and delicacy, and will show you a diversity of women's lives that you might not have experienced before. This film series takes place under the signature programme of the Hong Kong Arts Centre, Independently Yours.
This year's December lineup features two films. “Itaewon” records the lives of three woman, Sam-sook, Naki and Young-hwa, as they recall their angers, sorrows and joys of making a living in Itaewon's red light street, coined Hooker Hill, since 30 years ago. And to this day, they continue to fight social stigmas and live with memories that paint different faces of Korea's postcolonial past, present and future, illustrating the endless possibilities of individual dignity, hope and perseverance. “A Boy and Sungreen” is an endearing story about two 14-year-old best friends who have been together since birth – sensitive and fragile Bo-hee, and sassy and tough Nok-yang. Bo-hee sets out to find his father while Nok-yang has the ambition to make her first movie on Bo-hee. On the duo's way of self-discovery, they meet new people, encounter cruel truths and pure affection, and grow up.
Directors of the December programme will meet the audience via Zoom at the after-screening talks. Details of upcoming screenings from February to May 2021 will be announced on the website and social media platforms of the Hong Kong Arts Centre in due course. Tickets are now available here.
