Film society to screen music documentary

By John Redmond

Seoul Film Society founder Barry Welsh

Seoul Film Society (SFS) and the Royal Asiatic Society (RAS) Cinema Club will screen cult Korean indie-rock music documentary “Party 51” at the Seoul Global Cultural Center in Myeong-dong on Saturday.

Directed by Jung Yong-taek, “51” recalls events surrounding Ahn Jong-nyeo, owner of noodle restaurant Duriban near Hongik University (Hongdae), once an arts area in western Seoul.

On Christmas Eve 2009, 30 hired goons entered the restaurant, while customers were eating to violently evict everyone. The very next day, Ahn returned and forced her way into her shuttered, destroyed business, beginning a 531-day sit-in protest.

Struggling musicians, also trying to survive Hongdae gentrification, joined with Duriban, which provided free space to practice, put on shows or just hang out or even sleep.

It led to a musical movement coined Jarip (Independent Musicians’ Collective), bringing together bluesman Ha Heon-jin, grind band Bamseom Pirates, neo-folk musician Danpyunsun, solo musician Hahn Vad of Amature Amplifier and Yamagata Tweakster and noise musician Park Daham, all spotlighted in the documentary.

Their struggle against the forces of urban renewal and gentrification remains highly relevant in 2016, as the city government considers a plan to turn the whole neighborhood into a tourist zone.

“Duriban was a kind of utopian moment in Korea’s capitalist society, and I doubt there will be another situation quite like that again,” said director Jung Yong-taek. “That Duriban period will never occur again, and there will never been another like it.”

The Korea Times spoke with Seoul Film Society founder Barry Welsh about the origins and aims of the group.

Q: How and when did SFS begin? What was the initial aim?

A: The Seoul Film Society began over two years ago as an offshoot of the Seoul Book and Culture Club which started around six years ago. I did a masters degree in film studies at Edinburgh University when I was younger and I have always loved watching films and talking about them with my friends.

When I moved here I was really excited to learn more about Korean cinema and just watch lots of Korean films with other film fans. So I started the film society to create a little community of people who shared the same interest -- people who wanted to watch Korean films and talk about them. However, in the past I also screened a selection of classic British films with Korean subtitles as well. If I had more time I would screen more British films. It was a fun cross cultural experience.

Q: What has been the public response to the movies screened?

A: The public response has been very positive. There is usually a good mix of foreigners and Koreans at the screenings and the discussions afterwards are usually very lively. It’s been very interesting getting that sort of insider/outsider perspective on some classic Korean films. People bring all sorts of different perspectives to films and react to them in different ways and that, I think, is one of the best things about the screenings.

Q: Is it easy to access resources? What obstacles have you overcome?

A: I am very lucky to have the support of an excellent venue that has made it very easy for me to screen films. Everyone at Seoul Global Cultural Center has been incredibly supportive and helpful. The only occasional small obstacle is that I have to find a different venue if I want to screen something “political” or “sensitive” such as the Sewol documentary or the Cheonan documentary.

But apart from that it’s been a largely problem-free experience. The main problem I have is that I do most everything myself (with the support of my wonderful wife) so just finding time in my schedule to organize everything is difficult.

Q: Where do you see the future direction of SFC heading?

A: Well in the past we’ve had several film directors come and talk about their careers and films and although logistically that can be quite difficult to set up hopefully next year we’ll see more film directors attend the events as special guests.

I would love to get screenwriters and actors to come and be special guests as well. Also, if I had time I would love to screen more British films or do a selection of screenings on classic noir films or a horror film season or a Hitchcock season or classic ‘70s American movies -- things like that. The only limit is my time!

“Party 51” will be screened with English subtitles, with an introduction from RAS council member and Korea Times editor Jon Dunbar. Afterward will be a Q&A session with director Jung. Entry is free and doors open at 2 p.m.

Visit facebook.com/seoulfilmsociety for more information on this and other SFS events.