Gina Kim’s documentary, Faces of Seoul, is a beautifully crafted film that weaves together a diverse array of experiences, each providing a unique perspective on the city’s ever-changing landscape. By combining elements of documentary, film essay, and personal narrative, Kim creates a work of art that is both a testament to the city’s dynamic nature and a poignant reflection on the human experience.

through faces of Seoul, Kim invites the viewer to step into the shoes of both an expatriate and a native Seoulite, highlighting the tensions and paradoxes that arise when two worlds collide. As the camera pans across the city’s eclectic landscape, from the bustling streets of Myeong-dong to the tranquil gardens of the Bukhansan National Park, Kim masterfully juxtaposes the old and the new, the traditional and the modern.

The film is peppered with striking visuals, from the majestic Seodaemun Prison to the vibrant street art of Hongdae, and each image is imbued with a sense of nostalgia and longing. By incorporating footage of Kim’s own childhood memories, the film becomes a deeply personal and introspective exploration of the city’s ever-changing face.

One of the most striking aspects of Faces of Seoul is its ability to capture the city’s complex and often contradictory identity. From the gleaming skyscrapers of the financial district to the humble streets of a traditional Korean neighborhood, Kim deftly reveals the multiple layers of meaning that underlie Seoul’s transformation into a modern metropolis.

Kim’s ability to create an intimate and nuanced portrayal of the city is a testament to her skill as a filmmaker. Through Faces of Seoul, Kim reveals the hidden rhythms and textures of the city, revealing the intricate web of relationships that binds its inhabitants together.

From the tranquil gardens of Bukhansan National Park to the bustling streets of Myeong-dong, Kim masterfully captures the diverse array of experiences that make up the city’s fabric.

The film’s use of long takes and slow movements creates a sense of timelessness and contemplation, drawing the viewer into the city’s rhythms and textures.

Through Faces of Seoul, Kim creates a work of art that is both deeply personal and profoundly universal, speaking to the experiences of countless Seoulites and expatriates alike.

“Faces of Seoul is a beautiful and intimate tour of Seoul. Compelling visual essay of the director’s memories and emotions.”

“Faces of Seoul unearths multiple layers of the city’s archeology, exposing the turbulent history of modern Korea through the intimate eye of the filmmaker.”

“Kim’s Invisible Light is a fearless feminist who conceals an extreme sensitivity.”

Gina Kim is a Los Angeles-based filmmaker whose award-winning films reimagine cinematic storytelling across different genres and platforms, developing a unique transnational perspective centered on female protagonists.

Kim’s five feature films and works of media art have screened at over 150 prestigious international film festivals and venues, including Cannes, Venice, Berlin, and Sundance, as well as MoMA, Centre Pompidou, and the Smithsonian.

Praised by Le Figaro as a “fearless feminist who conceals an extreme sensitivity,” Kim’s Invisible Light was selected as one of the 10 best films of 2003 by Film Comment.

Never Forever, starring Jung-woo Ha and Vera Farmiga, was the first co-production between the United States and South Korea. Final Recipe, starring Michelle Yeoh and Henry Lau, was wide-released in China in more than three thousand theaters.

As an academic, Kim was the first Asian woman in her department at Harvard, and now a professor at UCLA in the department of Film, TV, and Digital Media.

In 2019, Kim’s retrospective titled “Desire and Diaspora” was held at Neues Asiatisches Kino in Munich, Germany.

Faces of Seoul is a remarkable film that reimagines the city as a complex and multifaceted place, full of contradictions and paradoxes.