wow, this is kind of perfect? I’ve always felt a little bit off with some of the diaspora media us koreans have: often over sensationalized, orientalist, sob stories glorified as “authentic” and “gritty” (but often just bait for white audiences) takes center stage. it’s not that these types of films don’t deserve space in the scene but it’s unfair to say that they represent the entirety of the korean diasporic experience.
I feel like Malene Choi’s film is in some ways, the answer to this need. It’s slow pacing and dream-like cinematography depicts the rural and isolating nature of danish rural life. Not much happens but for many of us in identity limbo, life too feels often monotonous. Choi’s touch here is just so suave with her restraint really enabling viewers to take it in for themselves. The small details just make it even more of a delight to watch: the danish flags scattered across the film, the various patterns plastered on the wall behind the wallpaper, each and every single line at that big gathering, probably worthwhile to go and rewatch. Some small complaints here and there like with the choice to include music in scenes which would benefit from quietude but generally, I’m really happy we’re getting some more diverse representation, can’t lie that I teared up a little by the end. 🐄
wow, this is kind of perfect? I’ve always felt a little bit off with some of the diaspora media us koreans have: often over sensationalized, orientalist, sob stories glorified as “authentic” and “gritty” (but often just bait for white audiences) takes center stage. it’s not that these types of films don’t deserve space in the scene but it’s unfair to say that they represent the entirety of the korean diasporic experience.
I feel like Malene Choi’s film is in some ways, the answer to this need. It’s slow pacing and dream-like cinematography depicts the rural and isolating nature of danish rural life. Not much happens but for many of us in identity limbo, life too feels often monotonous. Choi’s touch here is just so suave with her restraint really enabling viewers to take it in for themselves. The small details just make it even more of a delight to watch: the danish flags scattered across the film, the various patterns plastered on the wall behind the wallpaper, each and every single line at that big gathering, probably worthwhile to go and rewatch. Some small complaints here and there like with the choice to include music in scenes which would benefit from quietude but generally, I’m really happy we’re getting some more diverse representation, can’t lie that I teared up a little by the end. 🐄
