SISFF Memory Archiveing Project : Life exchange
The 17th SISFF presents the vivid story of a man who played an active role in the Saemaul Movement a grassroots development initiative that helped rebuild local communities during Korea’s rapid industrialization. Reimagined through the lens of a younger generation, the images unfolding on screen connect the memories of one era with the sensibilities of today, fostering empathy and understanding across generations.
Dressed in a neat suit, Mr. Lee Bong-ha is a man who once led the way in developing his remote mountain village. During the early days of the Saemaul Movement, he took initiative in efforts like anti-gambling campaigns and road expansion projects. Even today, walking through Dumal-ri in Uidang-myeon, Gongju City, traces of his commitment remain visible throughout the village. When asked, “How shoul...
info : 2025｜14’｜Documentary｜Youth｜Korea
감독 : KA Jinho
Before 1970, Saemaul. Testimony by Hong Jong-chul
Even before the Saemaul Movement began, communities were already working together. Since the Joseon Dynasty, villagers had been mobilized for state infrastructure projects even during the peak of farming season. Land maps drawn during the Japanese occupation often failed to reflect the real conditions on the ground. After the Korean War, with hardly a nail to spare, people still came together to fi...
info : 2025｜20’｜Documentary｜Youth｜Korea
감독 : JUNG Heetae
In the 1980s, Park Bok-nam lived a difficult life with her husband. But everything began to change when President Park Chung-hee launched the Saemaul Movement with the belief that “together, nothing is impossible.” The memory of that era continues to shape her daily life and her family. This film revisits her story in 2025 to explore how her life has evolved and to uncover why she came to be known ...
info : 2025｜17’｜Documentary｜Youth｜Korea
감독 : CHA Junho
This moving documentary traces the life of Mr. Han Han-bok, a man who helped transform once-barren hills into a thriving forest. In the early 1970s, as part of the Saemaul Movement, he dedicated himself to reforestation despite limited resourcesand grueling labor with an unwavering belief in the importance of restoring the environment. Tree by tree, he worked not just to rebuild a mountain, but to ...
info : 2025｜8’｜Documentary｜Youth｜Korea
감독 : KIM Danny
This documentary draws a parallel between the life of Mr. Park Seong-yong and the migratory journey of a skylark, traveling from one land to another. Born in Bonghwa, Mr. Park grew up in a self-sufficient farming household. After an unforeseen event scattered his family, he moved alone to Daegu, where he supported himself while continuing his studies and completing military service in the Air Force...
info : 2025｜14’｜Documentary｜Youth｜Korea
감독 : OH Lahi
An elderly man with firsthand experience of the Saemaul Movement shares his story, offering a powerful reminder of the sacrifices and hard work of an older generation often overlooked by today’s society.
info : 2025｜9’｜Documentary｜Youth｜Korea
감독 : CHUNG Kyungseop