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INVISIBLE LIGHT (aka 'She Doesn't Live Here Anymore') 2002
FORMAT: Digital with 35mm release Location: Los Angeles and Seoul, Korea
The film is counterbalanced between two interrelated parts. The first is centered around Gah-in, a woman having an affair with a married man, Jun. And the second is about Jun's wife, Do-hee. Invisible Light weaves the stories of Gah-in and Do-hee, who share a similar desire to reclaim their own personal identities.
Gah-in's story:
In the first story, we are introduced to Gah-in, a 26-year old Korean student studying in the U.S.A. She visits a man named Jun, whose wife is out of town. They end up having sex, and she spends the night with him. The next morning, Gah-in returns home in a despairing mood. The illicit affair has sparked feelings that lead to depression. Gah-in travels to the desert, only to realize that her attraction to Jun lacks real substance. Too proud to seek help, Gah-in struggles to avoid a crisis and complete break down in her life.
Do-hee's story:
The second story follows Do-hee, a 28-year old Korean-American woman, who is Jun's wife. However, her married life has degenerated to the point of virtual separation. Do-hee is plagued with doubts about herself and her future. Moreover, she is pregnant after an encounter with another man. Do-hee manages to get hold of some RU-486 (abortion-inducing) pills, and takes them with her on a flight bound for Seoul in South Korea. She is returning to her homeland for the first time after a 13-year absence. She is shocked to find she feels like a complete outsider. Like never before, she quickly becomes the focus of her own destiny. She struggles with uncontrollable feelings of desire that spring up in her. She befriends a bartender, Heesu, who accompanies her on a visit to her grandmother. Heesu acts as a stand-in for her absent husband. Do-hee is eventually forced to make a decision about whether to abort, or to keep her unborn child. She manages to find strength and inspiration despite having lived a life of silence and servitude for so many years.
Invited to:
VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, 2003
Peter Gray
(near Los Angeles)
P.O. Box 5132
Pine Mountain Club, CA 93222
United States of America
telephone: +1(661) 242-1234
dp@petergray.org
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