By Honorary Reporter Foteini Chatzoudi from Greece

"The Last of the Sea Women" is a documentary directed and co-produced by Korean American Sue Kim about haenyeo, or female divers on Jeju Island. She is now based in Portland, Oregon. 

Such women go into the ocean without breathing equipment to collect seafood and other things for sale. In addition to chronicling their lives, the film also shows their difficulties amid changes in the maritime environment and society.  

The documentary won the NETPAC Prize, an honor for Asian cinema, at this year's Toronto International Film Festival in Canada and was screened at the Busan International Film Festival last month. 

Below are excerpts from an email interview with Kim from Oct. 14-21.

What initially sparked your interest in filmmaking?

I've always gravitated toward storytelling as an art form. Initially, I thought I wanted to be a writer, but after working as a commercial film producer, I saw the magic of storytelling that can happen in front of and behind the camera. So I worked as a producer for almost 20 years before pivoting to directing to tell stories I found the most compelling and necessary to share. 

The haenyeo on the left cleans sea urchins and the one on the right searches for seafood underwater. (Apple TV+)

Why did you make your documentary?

First, I wanted to make an ode and tribute to haenyeo before they no longer existed. Their latest generation is in their 60s, 70s and 80s, so experts believe that when this generation passes on, there will be no more. Second, the message haenyeo want to convey to the world is that the oceans are dying due to climate change and global warming. So I wanted to help them get that message out to a wider audience. 

Finally, I wanted to shine the spotlight on a community rarely given any attention or allowed to be the heroes of their own story: elderly Asian women. Haenyeo are the strongest and most resilient humans I've ever encountered, and by telling their story, I wanted to show the world that superheroes can take different forms, genders and ages.

How was working with haenyeo and what about them do you admire?

The divers were wonderful to work with. They cared about me and my team as if we were their family. And they were so open in telling their stories and sharing their lives with us. 

I find everything about haenyeo admirable. Their physical strength and fitness are the first things you notice. They're well into their later years but still dive for four to six hours a day and happily work. Also, their sense of community and sisterhood is so caring and selfless. They look out for each other, help each other whenever someone is struggling and function as a unit. 

They're fighting to save the ocean from environmental harm for the younger generation. Their concern for what kind of planet they are passing on to their descendants is what I find so admirable.

Elderly haenyeo (left) go out on a boat and younger ones (right) prepare to dive into the water. (Apple TV+)

What moments during filming were especially moving?

I was so moved when haenyeo Jang Soon-deok traveled to Switzerland to speak at the United Nations on behalf of the ocean and her community. She struggled with international travel, learning English and nerves while giving her speech. But she was determined to speak up and be a voice for the haenyeo community. I admire her so much.

What do you hope your film does in raising awareness of the haeneyo lifestyle?

I hope as viewers learn more about haenyeo and witness how incredibly strong, empowered and caring they are as a community. I also hope that younger women might be motivated to take on the haenyeo occupation so that this incredible culture continues. 

I also hope for more funding, subsidies or grants for haenyeo so that they have more financial support when they get injured or can no longer work. 

Do you think haenyeo will eventually disappear or will their tradition continue?

I honestly don't know what will happen to haenyeo culture. Given the state of the oceans and decline of marine life due to environmental damage, the situation looks dreary.  But I still have hope. I hope that Jin Sohee was right when she said in the film, "Where there's an ocean, there'll be haenyeo." 

msjeon22@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.