Deann Borshay Liem is a woman who was adopted from South Korea and raised in America after the age of eight. She is a writer, director and a producer of independent films. And it is easy for her to integrate her full self into her films, as many of them revolve around her experiences and her life. Her films tend to be autobiographical, and focus on South Korean, Asian and issues of adoption. In particular, I recently w
atched her 52 minute film, In the Matter of Cha Jung Hee. It chronicles her search for the woman whose name she was given as a child. The real Cha Jung Hee had been taken from an orphanage by he real father. But, since sending war orphans to America and other countries was a means of revenue for the war-ravaged South Korea at the the time, rather than notify the family that was corresponding with Cha Jung Hee that she was no longer there, Deann was told to say that her name was Cha Jung Hee and was sent to the states in her stead.
She does not do the film from behind the camera alone. She is heavily visible in the film, and her messages are clear and believable. It is clear that she does not only want to bring forth the idea that she is searching for this woman, but that she is searching for herself. Through pictures and historical shots, she shows us the pain of many of the other orphans of her day. Also, we delve into the idea of identity, not only for adopted children, but also those who are international adoptees. In her interview, there is really no discussion as to what her mindset was when building the story, since as an autobiography, it was mostly chronological and self propelled. But we become intertwined in her search, and desire to see the real Cha Jung Hee, as the director does.
Her film has been well received, and has thus far received the following accolades:
- Comcast Audience Award, Best Documentary, San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival
- Official Selection, Full Frame Documentary Film Festival
- Special Jury Award, Best Director, Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival
- Special Jury Award, Best Editing, Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival
Despite the topic and images being difficult on the emotions, it coincides with what bell hooks has admonished all along. For the point off views and experiences of minorities in general to become part of the social consciousness, true imagery has to be presented. Not the caricatures that we regularly see about various races and people. It shows a reality that many would desire to forget, but that we all need to remember.
Images
Works Cited
Movie: First Person Plural - http://video.pbs.org/video/1562656895/
Readings: Interview with Deann Borshay Liem http://www.pbs.org/pov/chajunghee/interview.php
bell hooks - The Oppositional Gaze
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