Alley Dance Bogwang-dong, 10min,. South Korea, Dance
Directed by Yeajean Choi
Bogwang-dong 'Village that shines widely'
Currently, Bogwang-dong is the last town which is scheduled for large-scale redevelopment in Seoul.

http://www.knowboxdance.com/
https://www.facebook.com/yeajean.choi
https://www.instagram.com/yeajean_choi/?hl=es-la

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

The choreographer and dancer of this film Seo Jeong-sook has been living near the village which is the background of this film. Currently, this village Bogwand-dong is the last town which is scheduled for large-scale redevelopment in Seoul. So, Seo suggested that we create dance work together because she would like to memorize this village through her dance. And, I decided to choose a dance film medium to archive the current landscape with her dance for historical reasons.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

Total 7 months;

3 months - research, rehearsal, preparation

3 months - filming, editing, music composing and, music recording

1 month - poster design, final touch of the film

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Alley + Dance

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

Respect the people who still live in this town. Even though it is determined for redevelopment, there are still many people who live in this town. All of our shooting happens outdoors so, we try not to interrupt anyone while practicing, or shooting and not capture their face in the frame without their permission.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

First, I wonder if they understand the context/story beyond the visual elements. It was nice to hear how much they enjoy the harmony of location, dance, camera moving and music composition.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

I love all kinds of films. I watched over 100 films an year when I was in college. But, I was performing and choreographing as a dance artist so I couldn't think about making films by myself. However, when I studied at Texas Woman's University in 2014, I took dance film class with Professor Jordan Fuchs and it hooked my intention immediately. And in that time, the dance film(screen dance, dance for camera, dance on screen, etc) genre was kind of booming among dance artists. So, from that time, most of my creative interests go towards dance and film.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

DV8 , ,

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

Sharing audience feedback videos you have been doing is wonderful. Most of the festivals which take place in other countries, I can't go. So, it is hard to know how much people actually enjoy my film. So, it was nice to see and hear their feedback after screening.

Have more opportunities to screen films in different locations. I personally don't like online screening of dance films. Although, it would be good for the people who are not able to physically go to the theater.

However especially, in "dance," it is important to share energy and have experience of watching dance together with other people. There is a tendency that people think "dance film" are very abstract and hard to understand. So, it would help if we see the dance film together in live and have opportunities to talk together.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

FilmFreeway is a useful website to see world-wide film festivals at once. I also run a dance film festival called kNOwBOXdance Film Festival. We have been using FilmFreeway for many years. It is convenient to submit/receive films and their information. Since we run festivals in three different countries, I wish they have other language options or create sub-websites for other countries too.

10. What is your favorite meal?

I'm from South Korea but I lived in the USA, Mexico as well. So, I love all foods from those three countries

11. What is next for you? A new film?

With Seo Jeong-sook, we would keep creating the series of Alley dance which shows the forgettable but historical village through dance and film.