Yim Soon-rye is one of very few leading women filmmakers in Korea who has written, produced and directed over a dozen films since her debut in 1996. Her most renowned films including, Waikiki Brothers (2001), Forever the Moment (2007), South Bound (2012) and The Whistleblower (2014), have been recognized for their explicit interrogation of gender, political and cultural norms. She is also known as an activist for animal rights and a founder of KARA, Korea Animal Rights Advocates, through which she dedicated herself as much as she did to cinema. Her activism is rooted in Little Forest (2018), Sorry, Thank you (Yim’s episode, 2011) and Rolling Home with a Bull (2010) with the thematic focus on the relationship of humanity and nature.

With her directorial debut, Three Friends (1996), a coming-of-age drama/social satire, Yim quickly arose to become the prominent talent that signaled Korean New Wave Cinema during the 1990s. She was the 6th woman filmmaker in the history of Korean cinema and one of the only two female filmmakers when she started her career. Now, Yim stands as the most prolific woman director in Korea with ten feature films and one documentary.

Although a massive success with its recent global recognition at prestigious film awards and festivals, Korean cinema has never been a fair ground for women filmmakers. The total number of women filmmakers stays (as of 2019) at mere 10% which has not been changed for the last ten years. In such a heavily male dominated Korean cinema and the film industry, Yim has consistently produced critically and commercially influential films which emphasised issues of women and gender.

Director Yim will meet the audience live on screen at the cinema after the screening of Keeping the Vision Alive. Hosted by Korean journalist Lee Hwa-jung, the talk will feature Yims survival guide to the male-dominated flm industry in Korea and her behind-the-scenes stories of her 27-year flmmaking career.

Free Admission