Short Film 'Pierrot'

Plot:
Chaewon, the most promising violinist in South Korea, recalls his school days after being asked by a student reporter at a concert. Young Chaewon tries to keep his dream despite the oppression and conciliation inflicted by the abusive educational culture.

Background:
​Despite the numerous bright sides of South Korea, the extremely competitive educational culture is a serious social issue. As a student, I witnessed many friends suffering from severe depression and even committing suicide due to the pressure of the abusive culture.

I wanted to spotlight the issue with a satirical metaphor and encourage my friends to live their lives, not the lives that society coerces.

Making:
At 16, I didn't know how to shoot, act, or draw. So I posted a myriad of recruiting letters in nearby high school Facebook communities and persuaded seven talented students in Seoul to join my audacious journey. I invested my whole fortune in this film, about 900 dollars I had accumulated since childhood.

The production process was challenging but breathtakingly exciting, considering my adventurous nature. To gain permission to shoot in public locations such as the bus, I visited the last station of the bus line to persuade the bus driver face to face and finally got permission to shoot.

Response:
Pinching a social issue everyone acknowledges but simultaneously nobody steps forward to change, the film got progressive attention in the educational field. Two teachers screened this film in their classes spontaneously. Furthermore, the film was screened for all first-year students during regular classes, supervised by teachers. Considering my school was one of the most competitive high schools in South Korea, it was a big decision for them.

Honors & Award:
Pierrot was invited to the Official Selection in Competition 13+, 19th Seoul International Youth Film Festival (SIYFF). SIYFF is one of the world's top three international youth film festivals. Pierrot was one of the 25 films that were selected in the Competition 13+ sector among 857 pieces submitted. Moreover, the film was screened in a public theater a magnitude of 315 seats, and I held a GV

with the audience and press.

As well as the international acknowledgment described above, Pierrot was nationally acknowledged receiving a Grand Prize (1st place) in the 4th KBC National Youth Arts Festival. The film was broadcasted on December 20th, 2017, 4pm, on KBC. The panels and the judges evaluated Pierrot as,

"A well-groomed piece which pierces teenagers' overriding issue,"

"Film with a high level of completion which contains an overwhelming scene."


*Double-click the media below to listen to the accompanying audio.

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