“My Film and My Story” - Official Selection for the 2010 Vancouver International Film Festival

Directed by Kim Taeho, Hong Yujin, Kim Hankyul, Moon Yoojung, Lee Hweejae, Lim Youngbin, Han Gitae.

This film was produced by written and directed by seven film students from Konkuk University (a private university located in the southeast part of Seoul, South Korea). It is about the opening of a new cinema.

I just watched the film and had a chance to meet two of film’s talented directors: Kim Taeho (who also edited the entire film, and helped produce it) as well as Hong Yujin. After the film, they answered questions from a Festival Staff Member and from the the audience. This Festival Staff Member asked some strange questions: making assumptions about the film, and then asking if he was right. It was somewhat intimidating and uncomfortable, though he seemed to be trying to be friendly. I empathized with these young filmmakers, so I tried to ask more encouraging and familiar questions.

The story behind the film is often just as interesting as the film itself. This film took about 10 months to complete. Having seven writers and directors led to many “fights” and debates over the story and evolution of the characters. Each director focused on one chapter or section of the film. Kim Taeho stepped in as Producer to complete the film, after the other Producer had to leave for mandatory military service. Mr. Kim was also the editor, and I’m sure his job was quite difficult, since he had to link all of these stories together as cohesively as possible. Mr. Kim said he would like work as a Producer in the future, focusing on films that deal with issues related to human rights.

Hong Yujin directed a very interesting section, dealing with a relationship between a boy and a girl.  She shows a keen insight into human relationships, misread signs, and the differences between how men and women think. When I asked what type of films she would like to make in the future, Ms. Hong answered very eloquently: “I would like to make films which are personal but also relatable, allowing the audience to connect to the deep feelings within the story.”

The film has a few problems with sound quality, but the HD video is crisp and clear. The actors and actresses (acting students from the same university) give performances which are energetic and interesting to watch. This is not an above-average film by professional standards, but it is a very well made student project. There is a maturity and a growth within the film that reveals how quickly and how much the students learned through working together. And it looks like, despite the “fights” and challenges, they had a fun time making this film.

I look forward to seeing what these creative young people will do in the future.

Watch the trailer here.