Arum Nam | 2023 | South Korea | 90’ | EN subs

On 3 December 2024, Yoon, the former president of South Korea created a "legislative dictatorship" by declaring martial law. He accused his political opponents of conducting "anti-state activities" and collaborating with "North Korean communists" to destroy the country. The martial law was met by surprise and panic amongst the citizens – who actively demand pro-democracy through protests – and fortunately was lifted after 6 hours. Democracy in South Korea was achieved through countless struggles and deaths of people. However, this history has been ignored by far right political views that are stuck in cold war ideologies and capitalist developmentalism. After martial law happened, people realized that democracy is something that is under threat unless they fight for it.

K-Family Affairs will give you an insight to understand Korean politics of the past and the present by following the life of the director's family. A feminist mother and a patriot father who participated in the student-led democratic movement during the 80's seem like they are going separate paths. Arum starts questioning what democracy they fought for after experiencing the Sewol ferry disaster and the rise of the MeToo movement, both traumatic events in the timeline of her generation. The film portrays not only Arum's family affairs or that of Korean people, but considers all the stories of those who live under clashing political views.