Koryo Saram's Shattered Identity

About the Film

The film Koryo-Saram’s Shattered Identity was produced by Marina Kim (also known as Maki) as part of her Senior ICAM graduating project. It centers on the history of the Koryo Saram, ethnic Koreans who originally lived along the Korean–Russian border but were forcibly relocated to what are now Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan between 1936 and 1937.

The first half of the film introduces the history of these people through a visually engaging narration created with generative art. The second half shifts focus to the personal struggles associated with this complex identity, depicted through frame-by-frame animation. Overall, the film explores the interconnected themes of identity, history, and multiculturalism.

History

In 1936, more than 100,000 Koreans living along the Russian and Korean border were forcibly deported by train. Under Stalin’s orders, these Koreans were relocated to what are now Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, as he feared they might collaborate with the Japanese government. Those who survived the grueling journey found themselves in a foreign land with no belongings, no knowledge of the local language, and were compelled to cultivate rice on barren soil. Over time, these displaced Koreans became known as the Koryo Saram, a cultural group that remains ethnically Korean, resides primarily in Central Asia, and speaks Russian as their main language.

Behind the Narrative

The narration begins with generative images and animations accompanied by text that tells the story of the formation of the Koryo Saram, an ethnic Korean community that settled in Central Asia and largely adopted the Russian language. The film then transitions into a frame-by-frame animation following a young girl who embodies this multicultural background. She serves as a representative figure for the challenges of navigating a complex, hybrid identity, exploring her heritage and learning to reconcile its many layers. While multiculturalism offers richness and depth, it also places significant demands on individuals who must continually balance and negotiate between their intersecting identities.

Gallery

Project was displayed at the Senior ICAM show at the Kamil Gallery June 7-9th

Still Shot from film

Storyboard Sample 1

Storyboard Sample 2

Set-up

Complete Set-up

Display Film Playing

On Display

References/ Sources

Codes, Music, Research

Research

Koroyo-Saram Documentary Film:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=_SgHg2Eea_c

‍Koryo Saram Journals/Articles :

Amerasia Journal:

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.17953/

amer.29.3.xk2111131165t740

‍Transnational Mobility and Identity in and out of Korea:

‍https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=FDu-DwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA131&dq=koryo+saram&ots=TN-0Dmc5zV&sig=JEIe_wcUSGu-GI0x-s9RfeieSkU#v=onepage&q&f=false

Codes/ Code references

All Codes used for the Project where created from pre-exciting code. Which has been linked on the codes and credit to the original source. All the codes designed and modified from preexisting codes, were changed to better enhance the project but the original form of the code credit belongs to the respected creators.

List of Codes in the project: (the original codes are linked within the project codes.) :

Tear drop animation:https://editor.p5js.org/makiMikan/sketches/5l4HenPgC-

‍ Tree Growing: https://editor.p5js.org/makiMikan/sketches/Nem1x4t0e1-
‍Flower growing:https://editor.p5js.org/makiMikan/sketches/_uRI-_Jiy-
Ghost:
https://editor.p5js.org/makiMikan/sketches/qn2ChtjYX-

Text Generative animation:
1. https://editor.p5js.org/makiMikan/sketches/bH1noZO5Z
2. https://editor.p5js.org/makiMikan/sketches/SjKh0z25i
3. https://editor.p5js.org/makiMikan/sketches/9uCoQBM9V
4. https://editor.p5js.org/makiMikan/sketches/g9wsmWFhE
5. https://editor.p5js.org/makiMikan/sketches/UNPG4excj-

Picture animation
1. https://editor.p5js.org/makiMikan/sketches/v8W11Ue5F
2. https://editor.p5js.org/makiMikan/sketches/NkQoJGBxg
3. https://editor.p5js.org/makiMikan/sketches/3koTMkzru
4. https://editor.p5js.org/makiMikan/sketches/zu12Untg2
5. https://editor.p5js.org/makiMikan/sketches/D88-Yg7H5
6. https://editor.p5js.org/makiMikan/sketches/l6K4TBaQa

Music For Film

Music and SFX from :

Epidemic Sound

Programs

Clip Studios

P5js

Premiere Pro

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse