For those like myself who have never moved abroad, the idea of racial prejudice based on your country of origin is, fortunately, a little alien. It's this exact social issue that director Zhao Danyang skilfully tackles in his short film “An Excessive Day”.
An Excessive Day is screening at Osaka Asian Film Festival
Seowoo (Oh Woori) has left her apartment, packed her bags and set off for a destination unbeknownst to us. Most importantly, she's also broke. She stops by the convenience store where she had worked until recently to pick up her final cheque and be on her way. However, instead of finding her manager, who's been avoiding her calls, Seowoo instead meets Yoo Woi (Huh Dain), the girl who has taken up the mantle of cashier and has far more in common with her predecessor than she realizes.
The narrative essentially takes a look at an abnormal day in the life of Seowoo. The script allows for a slow reveal in which we find out why she is begrudgingly on the move and why she's wary of others. Her cautiousness is contrasted by the fresh-faced Yoo, who has not been in Korea for long, having moved from China. There's a world-weariness to Seowoo that encourages her to help Yoo, even if only in subtle ways. The loose and brief bond that develops between the two women leads to some unexpected revelations that force you to reassess Seowoo's motives.
At the heart of the short film is a condemnation of racism, although not in the way you might expect. Yoo's ethnic origin leads many of the various customers in the convenience store to judge her with suspicious eyes. Whether it's a general lack of respect from an impatient couple or ignorant students mimicking her mother tongue, Yoo is an easy target because of her foreignness. “You look so pretty that even I thought you were a Korean” is the back-handed compliment delivered by one elderly shopper. The subtlety with which Zhao unpacks the social issues that drive the narrative results in the more organic delivery of an important message.
On a technical level, “An Excessive Day” is a joy to behold. The muted colour palette grounds the film in the mundane reality of everyday life, a choice that is complemented by the patient and precise edits. The handheld camerawork keeps us within close quarters of Seowoo, which makes for a more intense visual ride. There's a nice flow to the camera movements, as Zhao finds new ways to take us around the relatively small convenience store. The director utilises excellent blocking so that the next troublesome customer wanders in and out of the frame at just the right time.
Both Oh Woori and Huh Dain put in great performances, with the two sharing a quiet yet notable on-screen chemistry. There's an air of concern around Oh at all times, and you can sense her discomfort through her subtle movements, such as a downward glance. Opposite her, Huh epitomises the naivety of someone not yet exposed to the intolerance of others. Her lack of confidence in her new job comes through in the actor's soft tone and hesitancy.
To highlight any issues with the short feels nit-picky, but it must be said that, even at only 25-minutes, the project is long in the tooth. The minimal narrative, while perfect for the message of the film, doesn't lend itself well to the pacing, resulting in notable lulls. You feel that shaving a little off of the plot and omitting some of the less significant store interactions wouldn't have taken away from the effectiveness of the short's message. However, this is but a minor complaint, as even the overly extended sequences are still skillfully helmed.
“An Excessive Day” is technically impressive, well-acted, and punchy in its message, which is all you can ask for, as far as short films go. The identifiable characters and situations are sure to trigger some semblance of empathy from audiences, whether they themselves have experienced racial discrimination or have simply worked a mundane store job. Zhao Danyang's effort is pertinent and effective, making it a project well worth watching.
