Program Note
Eight-year-old Sumin lives in a quiet seaside village, where her only joy is reading comic books under the covers. But her precious moments are constantly disrupted by her younger brother Dongmin, who is autistic. One day, Dongmin ruins a comic book Sumin had borrowed, and after being harshly scolded by their mother, Sumin takes Dongmin on an unexpected picnic. Known for her delicate portrayal of gentle fantasy in everyday settings, the director this time explores deeper emotional territory—depicting fear and personal growth through a fantasy born from a young girl’s guilt. Kim Suan delivers a luminous performance that elevates the emotional depth of the film, particularly during its powerful ten-minute climax.
This short is part of the Korean Academy of Film Arts' 3D project Mad Sad Bad and will be presented in a 2D version at this year’s festival. (Martin LEE)