Film Festival Highlights School for North Korean Defectors with Class Size of 20
Documentary Explores Life of North Korean Defectors in South Korea
The challenges faced by North Korean defectors in South Korea are vividly captured in the documentary School for Defectors, which premiered at the True/False festival in Columbia, Missouri. Directed by Emmy-nominated filmmaker Jeremy Workman, known for his works Secret Mall Apartment and Lily Topples the World, the film delves into the harsh realities these individuals encounter after escaping their oppressive homeland.
Workman addressed the stigma surrounding defectors during a Q&A session following the premiere. “There’s a lot of prejudice directed towards defectors… The word ‘defector’ in Korean actually has a negative connotation,” he said, highlighting the complexities of their social integration.
The documentary centers on the Jangdaehyun School in Busan, a unique institution with only 20 students, all defectors from North Korea. Some students were born in North Korea, while others were born during transit in China, where escapees often lack legal status. The school’s staff strives to support these young individuals as they navigate their new environment, which is marked by societal rejection.
Workman noted the emotional weight carried by the students, saying, “You felt the weight of the world with them.” He emphasized how the school’s educators create a supportive atmosphere that fosters personal discovery: “It wasn’t so much about grades. It was a different measure of success… about finding themselves.”
A recurring theme in the film involves exercises where students envision their lives in ten years, challenging them to dream about the future. Workman remarked on the significance of this practice. “In totalitarian governments like North Korea, the idea of following dreams is unheard of,” he explained. “For these kids, imagining a future is essential for forming their identities.”
Throughout the filming process, Workman was struck by the camaraderie among the students. “It was like this group… they were all about each other and supportive of one another,” he observed. “For me, it was like they were like little chicks that were starting to walk.”
The documentary was filmed by an entirely Korean crew, with Workman as the only non-Korean member. This choice, he noted, helped create a collaborative and respectful environment. “We didn’t want to select just a few students to focus on; we aimed to capture the entire school,” he said.
Workman took great care to ensure the students felt involved in the filmmaking process. “They all knew that at any time they could ask us to leave,” he said. He involved them in the production by sharing film clips and allowing them to handle the camera, aiming to foster a sense of participation.
School for Defectors, alongside Workman’s previous film Secret Mall Apartment, has resonated with audiences, particularly at the True/False festival. He encapsulated the film’s essence by stating, “It’s an intimate, character-driven story about youth, resilience, and possibility.”
