The documentary 'Horimong,' which captures the life of Shin Sook-ok, a third-generation human rights activist of Korean descent in Japan, will be released in theaters nationwide on November 11. Directed by Lee Il-ha, known for works like 'Counters' and 'More,' the film is distributed by Etnine Film.
Shin Sook-ok filed a defamation lawsuit against DHC Television, the producer of the Japanese program 'News Woman,' which referred to her as someone 'receiving orders from North Korea' in 2017. In 2021, the Tokyo District Court ruled in her favor, awarding her 5.5 million yen, and the final ruling confirming her victory came in April 2023. The film follows this legal battle, intertwining courtroom scenes with the memories of three generations of women: her grandmother Lee Baek-ran, her mother Keiko, and Shin Sook-ok herself.
The lives of these three women—her grandmother who moved to Japan during the colonial period, her mother who faced discrimination despite being born in Japan, and Shin Sook-ok—reflect the history of Korean residents in Japan. The title 'Horimong' translates to 'internal organs' in Japanese.
'Horimong' has received accolades, including the Grand Prize at the 22nd EBS International Documentary Film Festival and the Audience Award for Best Feature at the 51st Seoul Independent Film Festival. It has also been invited to the 26th Jeonju International Film Festival, the 27th Seoul International Women's Film Festival, and the 24th New York Asian Film Festival. The film's structure, which combines the triumph of legal struggles with the family history of Korean residents in Japan, has resonated with audiences.
Shin Sook-ok visited South Korea from November 1 to 8, engaging in audience talks (GV) that sold out every session. According to Etnine Film, her past discussion videos and remarks during her visit have garnered approximately 10 million views on social media.
The book 'Horimong: The Struggle of Shin Sook-ok, the Survivor,' co-authored by Shin Sook-ok and Director Lee Il-ha, has also reached the top of the bestseller list in the political and social category at Kyobo Bookstore.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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