While LGBTQIA+ cinema is still not seen in a favourable light in South Korea, many filmmakers dare to venture into that territory, and rightfully so, whether they are part of the community or not. Although not all of these films can be screened in the country itself, international festivals, including BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival, proudly present films that feature narratives that are filled with soul-stirring explorations of love, courage, and the silent struggles faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals.
The genesis of Nobody Knows, directed and produced by Heo Ha-yeon, can be traced back to a heart-rending account of an elderly lesbian couple denied the basic rights of guardianship and recognition. In a society where legal barriers overshadowed their enduring love, tragedy struck, leaving the young film student with an idea that would lead to the creation of a seven-minute animation short. What makes Nobody Knows special is its eloquent silence, a deliberate choice to eschew verbal communication and rely solely on the language of gestures and expressions. Through the tender yet heartfelt relationship between the film’s protagonists, Heo depicts the often-overlooked experiences of elderly LGBTQIA+ individuals. In a country where acceptance of the community remains elusive, even the simplest acts of affection demand courage.
Ahead of the screening at BFI Flare, we had the pleasure to sit down with Heo for a short chat and discuss animation as a medium, the inspiration behind the narrative, and LGBTQIA+ issues in South Korea.
View of the Arts: Can you tell us about the inspiration behind creating Nobody Knows? What drew you to this particular storytelling medium?
Heo Ha-yeon: I saw an article in South Korea about an elderly lesbian couple who had been together since high school. One of them died, but they couldn’t even give their partner a funeral because they couldn’t legally be each other’s guardians. Eventually, the person who was left behind took her own life. This article drew me to this film.
VOA: The absence of dialogue in Nobody Knows adds a beautiful layer to the narrative. Could you elaborate on your decision to convey the storyline without spoken words? How did you approach communicating emotions and themes effectively in a dialogue-free format?
HY: I wanted to make sure that even without dialogue, the facial expressions and gestures would be visible and understandable to everyone, so I drastically removed the Korean dialogue because I wanted to make it as accessible as possible.
VOA: The film touches on themes of love, courage, and the challenges faced by elderly LGBTQIA+ individuals. What message did you aim to convey through the story of these two old ladies?
HY: The ageing of LGBTQIA+ people is a topic that is not talked about much in South Korea, and I wanted to show that they definitely exist and that they live close to us in our society through two older women in my film. That’s the most important message of the film – to show their existence by just being themselves.
VOA: The simple act of holding hands in public demands bravery from the characters. Can you discuss the significance of these seemingly ordinary moments within the context of the film?
HY: In South Korea, there is still not much awareness about LGBTQIA+ people in society. There is definitely discrimination. For them, even holding hands in public takes a lot of courage. I wanted to show that moments that seem so normal to most people are not taken for granted by others.
VOA: The film addresses issues surrounding legal guardianship and the lack of recognition for same-sex relationships. How did you navigate these themes within the narrative, particularly in the context of South Korea’s LGBTQIA+ rights?
HY: Same-sex marriage is not yet legal in South Korea, so even if they are married, they are not socially recognised as a couple and cannot be protected under the law. In the film, the two elderly people are married, but in an emergency, they are unable to protect each other. I wanted to point out this problem in Korean society through the story.
VOA: Nobody Knows is just under seven minutes; have you thought of expanding the narrative into a longer film, perhaps a feature?
HY: Nobody Knows is an animation I did as a graduation project, so I didn’t get enough funding for it. I had to do everything myself. I couldn’t afford the labour, and I had to finish the animation in a year, so, of course, it came out as a short. I would definitely expand it into a feature if there was a support system or budget for artists.
VOA: As the film was screened at the 15th OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival, what significance does it hold for you to showcase this story within the LGBTQIA+ community? That also includes BFI Flare in London.
HY: I’m very happy that this film is able to reach several countries instead of just staying in Korea. The purpose of this story is to show that there are still countries where same-sex marriage is not yet legal and LGBTQIA+ people are not socially protected, and that’s what this story is about.
VOA: How do you hope Nobody Knows will resonate with audiences, both within and beyond the LGBTQIA+ community?
HY: I hope Nobody Knows can be a reminder that there are people out there who are clearly all around us, even if we haven’t noticed them before.
VOA: Lastly, what do you envision for the future of LGBTQIA+ representation in South Korean cinema, and how does Nobody Knows contribute to this narrative?
HY: There are so many sad and painful stories about the LGBTQIA+ community. I would like to see a lot of LGBTQIA+ stories with happy endings, even though they clearly point out the perception of LGBTQIA+ people in Korean society, because I think that’s hope. That’s why I ended this film with their marriage. I would like to make a lot of stories about LGBTQIA+ people finding happiness. Nobody Knows is also a painful story, but I think it has hope in the end. Letting people know that there is hope to move forward, that’s the direction I think I will contribute.
Written and interviewed by Maggie Gogler
Featured image courtesy of Heo Ha-yeon
38th BFI FLARE: LONDON LGBTQIA+ FILM FESTIVAL 2024 Takes Place 13 – 24 March at BFI Southbank and on BFI Player
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