Urban Island at Interfilm Berlin

Urban Island screened at the International Short Film Festival Berlin, which gave the film a new context far from where it was made. The project is a documentary music video that I worked on together with director Namhui Park. The film is set in Seoul and follows the daily life of a homeless man living on the streets. Presenting this story in Berlin allowed the work to reach audiences who may not be familiar with this side of the city.

The Project Urban Island

Urban Island is set to the song Varúð by Sigur Rós. The film focuses on a man in his forties who has lived without stable housing for more than eight years. As a cinematographer based in Seoul, I approached the project with care and restraint. Together with Namhui Park, the goal was not to explain or judge, but to observe and listen.

Filming at the Edges of the City

Most of the film takes place near Yongsan Station, in a small park next to the railway tracks. A group of homeless men use this space to rest, talk, and stay out of sight. The location feels temporary and isolated. It raises questions about belonging and exclusion. Is it a refuge, or is it a form of quiet separation from the rest of the city?

A Cinematographer’s Approach

Visually, the film stays close to everyday routines. I avoided dramatic framing and focused instead on repetition, movement, and stillness. The intention was to let the city remain present without overpowering the individual. Seoul becomes a backdrop rather than a statement.

Screenings in Berlin

Urban Island screened at Interfilm Berlin on the following dates:

12 November 2015, 15:00 — Babylon – Kino 2
14 November 2015, 21:00 — Grüner Salon

Seeing the film in a cinema setting changed how the work was received. The silence in the room became part of the experience.

Earlier Screenings and Recognition

The film first premiered as part of a group exhibition at Culture Station Seoul 284. It later received the Audience Award at the 7th Premiers Courts International Film Festival in 2012. Urban Island was also shortlisted for the 2013 Film Grant Award by the Manuel Rivera-Ortiz Foundation.

Why the Film Still Matters

Urban Island remains a small film with a narrow focus. It does not aim to represent homelessness as a whole. Instead, it offers time and attention to one life within a larger system. For me, that remains the most honest way to work.