It takes an immeasurable amount of work to make a film. Beyond the cinema screen lie years of experience, contemplation, and creativity that ultimately culminates in the production of a film. This meticulous process is no better represented than in the Korea Queer Film Festival (KQFF), where films that venture into down-to-earth matters of LGBTQ+ people (a term referring to a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity) are selectively chosen. For its September Issue, The Granite Tower (GT) has reached behind the scenes of KQFF and interviewed a creative behind this festival.

KQFF showcases both Korean and foreign cinema, for which 19 and 21 films are selected respectively. For the Korean omnibus, the main theme was the representation of contemporary concerns on queer identity. With the focus being on depicting queerness through diverse lenses, KQFF presented four sections within this theme covering “Adolescence” (young queer), “A Troublemaker Family” (stepping out of family stereotypes), “Eccentricity” (unique film style and technique), and “NOW OR NEVER” (criticism on queer discrimination). For the World- Queer cinema, a variety of topics such as Northern Europe, transgender people, and sexuality were selected to deliver a film experience distinct from the Korean films of KQFF. Through such matters, the audience can experience a nostalgic throwback, returning to their past stages of experiencing adolescence and grappling with sexual identity.

Most importantly, KQFF exists as a platform for LGBTQ+ representation in the film industry. Currently, queer films are allotted only a limited space within film festivals, distancing the gap between a general audience and niche film industries. However, KQFF is a dedicated medium to exhibit films revolving around queer issues, which offers opportunities for directors to publicize their work, heightening accessibility for viewers. 

Among the selected works, a short film titled Firsts by Jesse Ung has garnered much attention. The film revolves around a Chinese international student living in New Zealand, who rebels against his parents’ strict, demanding expectations of him and determines to have sexual interaction through an online meeting. Firsts explores the theme of stepping out of the box, where a queer man who has not come out yet explores his identity and tries to lose their virginity to someone of the same gender. 

To gain further insight on the film, GT interviewed its director, Jesse Ung. 

GT: Were there any LGBTQ+ issues or discrimination that you wanted to point out, or criticize through the message of this film?

Ung: I think that for a lot of people growing up queer, we worry about what our parents will think, and I wanted to explore why – will they think differently of us? Are we betraying them by being who we are? Are we betraying them by keeping who we are a secret? Even so, why does it matter? It’s a very unique struggle we face growing up queer and growing up with so much love for those who raised us, and while I don’t have the answer, the message of the film is about finding peace with the two.

GT: Your film was chosen for KQFF 2022 under “Beginning of Queer.” How did you respond when you first heard the news? 

Ung: Thrilled! Being chosen to screen at a film festival is always exciting, but with this film, I’ve gotten to discover queer film festivals all around the world I never even knew about – including KQFF. It brings me so much joy to know there are so many places in the world that love queer film as much as I do.

GT: What is your opinion on presenting films regarding LGBTQ+ in festivals such as KQFF? If there are benefits, what do you think those are? 

Ung: What’s wonderful about LGBTQ+ film festivals like KQFF is that the entire program is queer films; because of that, we get to see films that cover a wide spectrum of queer experiences. We don’t have to go looking hard for them.