In Gwangju, which has a variety of cultural assets, some young people do cultural and artistic activities for their future. However, it may be difficult for them to have a sustainable career as a working artist in a local region because there are fewer opportunities and the infrastructure is not as advanced as in the Seoul metropolitan area. Here is a person who would be helpful to cultural and artistic dreamers: Kim Su-jin, the editor-in-chief of Scene 1980 and a preliminary filmmaker. She is an alumnus of Chonnam National University who captures a local story through a film magazine. The Chonnam Tribune met her and listened to the story of her life with the film in the city.

From Reporter to Film Magazine Editor
Founded in 2019, Scene1980 is the first Gwangju-based film magazine that archives movie-related events in the city and introduces local film directors and their works. Its title is related to the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement. In 1980, unnamed directors recorded situations at the time and spread videos, so-called “Gwangju Videos” to other regional citizens. Editor-in-Chief Kim said, “We can consider that the videos were the first independent films in Gwangju. Also, we want to uphold the May 18 democratic spirit and prove that local people can also make movies and write articles about movies. So, we gave our magazine the title ‘Scene1980’.”

She was a movie magazine reporter for about three years in Seoul. But for her, a job in the city as a reporter was not suitable. “While working in Seoul, I experienced a new world by interviewing and participating in press previews. However, I was afraid of conducting an interview and covering someone because of my introverted character. Moreover, maintaining a life in Seoul was difficult due to the high prices and population density. I thought I was going to die on the rush-hour subway. I got a panic disorder from life in Seoul. So, I came back to my hometown, Gwangju, and started to work as an editor of the film magazine,” she said.

Having Enthusiasm for Independent Films
It is not that she likes independent films more than other commercial movies or artistic movies. However, independent movies have different attractions for her. Kim said, “We can see that independent filmmakers make low-budget films fun and creative, using their inventive ideas. I think that amateurish modesty, without expensive special effects and actors, makes independent films more fun and attractive.” She also noted the point that independent movies take on the subjects that commercial movies cannot cover easily, and can make the small voices of minorities and people in the blind spots heard.

Kim said that the most memorable moment while making Scene1980 was her first interview as an editor of the magazine. In this interview, she met Huh Ji-eun and Lee Kyeong-ho, who make movies in Gwangju and won the Blue Dragon Film Awards in 2018. Kim was impressed with Director Lee’s expression “A film is similar to a poem.” She learned that films deliver messages by implication like poems and give us opportunities to think about the implicative meanings of films. She also said that although the catharsis that entertainment movies give disappears very fast, the implications of independent movies make people consider relationships between the world and them.

Making a Film to Capture Local Stories
Many independent filmmakers ask themselves, “Why we are making movies in the noncapital region, when it is harder to use infrastructure with ease? We need to invest a lot of money, but nobody knows that. Is it meaningful?” Nevertheless, it is clear that they have made local-based films because they want to cover their own local stories. She thinks that only the ones who have lived in a local area for at least ten years can truly understand the values of the area and empathize with its story. She also thinks that someone must cover regional stories to keep their own culture. 

She expects local independent movies to become more popular than now, and she is planning to quit her job as editor-in-chief of the magazine and make films in the future. She has finished working on her first film scripts to have a local story. The film is a SciFi movie about memory and records, and the movie is set in 2044. In a world with an increasing gap between rich and poor, a poor woman lives near the Gwangju River. This woman writes a diary every day and reads it because she thinks reminiscing is very important. She finally becomes skeptical about her actions. Through this narrative, Editor Kim wants people to doubt whether records written by cold rational letters are fact. She said that potential memories in our bodies or images which we can see in our dreams are veritably true.

“Do It for Your Dream!”
Students who want to make their artwork locally will face challenges and difficult situations such as budget problems or deficient cultural infrastructure. Kim Su-jin said, “Just do it! It is important to just experience it. Don’t worry about getting into the local culture and the art scene. Don’t think about your own financial safety too much. If you are interested in cultural and artistic sectors and want to enjoy working in the field, just do it and wait for opportunities, which will come to you someday.” This interview will give you a hand when you are worried or when you are hesitating about your dream.

Gwangju has unique film venues, including the Gwangju Independent Film Theater and the Gwangju Cinema. You can see a variety of independent films and foreign art movies at ordinary times. In the city, the Gwangju Independent Film Festival and the Gwangju Feminine Film Festival have a screening section of movies made in noncapital regions. You can try to enjoy your cultural and artistic life in Gwangju while watching local independent films. They will offer a new experience and a good opportunity to think about yourself and the region where you live.

By Bae Mun-seong, Editor