Director Kim Myeon-woo’s “Rebirth” traces his father’s debt, wins 10 million won prize

An artistic triumph drawn from a family’s debt, and the essence of documentary filmmaking

The 23rd “EBS International Documentary Film Festival” (EIDF) has named “Rebirth” by director Kim Myeon-woo the year’s outstanding film, one that shook the documentary scene. Festival organizers announced on the 31st that the film had been selected for the Documentary Goyang Award, the Grand Prize in the Festival Choice competition section.

The winning film, “Rebirth,” transforms private pain into a source of universal empathy. It follows director Kim Myeon-woo as he works as an office assistant for his father, a legal scrivener, to help repay his father’s debts, while doggedly tracing the long history of financial and emotional debts passed down through his family. The director’s intense self-reflection, emerging from the weighty narrative, drew high praise from the jury.

Five films in all, including the Grand Prize winner, received awards in this year’s competition. The Jury Special Award went to “Ash” by Oier Plaza and “Yo (Love Is an Untamable Bird)” by Anna Fitch and Banker White. The Jury Special Mention went to “Mother Age” by Irene Kaltenborn and “Dew Is Coming” by Ju Romi and Kim Tae-il, underscoring the breadth of documentary storytelling.

The prize money awarded to the winning films has also drawn attention. The Grand Prize winner will receive 10 million won, while each of the two Jury Special Award winners will receive 7 million won and each of the two Jury Special Mention winners will receive 3 million won.

Meanwhile, the results of the “Art and Culture” section, held with support from the Korea Arts and Culture Education Service, were also announced. “My Dear Hussein” by director Alex Bakri won the Excellence Award, carrying a 3 million won prize, while “Song to Defend Our Land” by director Mauricio Albornoz Iniesta received the Special Award, carrying a 2 million won prize, in recognition of their outstanding artistic value.