Asian Queer Festival

Life Unrehearsed
Director: Jieun Banpark / Kahlo
80 minutes

Starting with a photograph that initiates their story, we are presented with fragments of the narrative surrounding two individuals‘ immigration and love story. We find ourselves at home with them, standing beside them on the streets during protests, participating in Queer parades, and sitting alongside them as they teach in a hospice. This hospice was established with the purpose of providing a dignified end for immigrants. The Film eventually takes us into the hospital room where its founder is hospitalized due to an unfortunate illness. We bear witness to their lives, unmistakably recognizing the profound impact they had on the world.

Thanks to the director’s intention of capturing their appearances and stories through video media, we are able to confirm their existence, preserve their memory, and express our gratitude. They serve as each other’s pillars of strength, cheerleaders, lifelong friends, and romantic partners, and this sense of support extends to their broader circle of acquaintances and their environment. The immense energy they exude resonates deeply with the viewer, creating a profoundly meaningful and impactful experience.

The film’s director and camera operator, Kahlo, does not initially maintain an objective and distant perspective, almost as if she were an invisible observer. However, her presence is revealed at the beginning of the film. We become keenly aware of her existence through In-seon’s words, „There you are. I was wondering where you went.“

After the screening, the audience will have the opportunity to talk to the director.