In 2002, East Timor (officially Timor Leste), a small island nation 400 miles north of the Australia, became the first independent nation in the 21st century. A former Portuguese colony and invaded and annexed in 1975 by the Indonesia, with the help of us, the country, this is history marked by violence and poverty.Director Kim Tae-gyun (high volcano, The Crossing) uses this volatile backdrop for his latest film, a barefoot dreams and tells the story of a man star and a failed Korean footballer who moves in East Timor, like many other opportunistic foreigners, in the hope of the exploitation of the local economy. Instead of this, it ends at the coaching of a football team of victims of poverty of children in East Timor, ultimately bringing the world tournament soccer victory. The film made its first American North in Manhattan, Tribeca Cinemas for Film nights series Korean bi-monthly, made possible by the Korean cultural Service and underground cinema. I had the opportunity to sit down and talk with Director Kim before the screening:
How do you across this incredible story?
There was a documentary TV Korea on East Timor and its independence. They features coach Kim Shin-hwan and East Timor children and how they won the Hiroshima International Youth Soccer Tournament very briefly. In this document, Kim said, I wish that I could feed these children meat from time to time. "I liked much.
Many Koreans knew about the existence of East Timor prior to a barefoot dream? In the States, with the exception of certain reports by independent journalists, the situation in East Timor did not generate much attention in the media.
Yes and not, there were debates about sending troops for peacekeeping in the Parliament without much fanfare (which we finished afterwards do) when Indonesian troops were violently oppress the Timorese. I think that Koreans are more aware of international issues, it has become a viable economic power.
Coach Kim Shin-hwan (as kwang Won in the movie, played by Park Hee-soon) is involved in making the movie?
Oh, absolutely, from beginning to end. If it weren't for him, we would film. Just as you see in the film, Kim won to know the locals well enough, firstly with his broken English (or Konglish, as call us it) and then pick up their dialect. It was not only our consultant, but a guide, interpreter and Ambassador. It was his friendship with Xanana Gusmao(the_former_President_and_present_Prime_Minister_of_East_Timor) which made it possible for him to appear as himself in the film!
What are some of the challenges you shooting in East Timor?
They have literally had nothing there. After years of violent conflict, no there was no established infrastructure in place. We had problems as soon as we landed. He returned there bureaucracy. Our equipment has been blocked at the airport during a long period. Is there any film productions in East Timor oriental, other than an Australian documentary crew before us. Dili is a small town of about 15000 people. And we need about 300 extras for several scenes. We have an announcement for the actors and extras, but no one came. We had to actively seek people from the street. But they had no concept of the film industry. Only, they came and as they pleased. Naturally, they were busy living life. But for us in that each step has been a challenge since all the things we took for granted film productions were not there.
You have amazing kids in this movie. How is the casting process?
We have cast mainly Coach Kim pool. He had approximately 30 members to its team. We chose children whom we felt right for the part. They were about 9-11 years.
It was difficult to direct them?
When the script has been finalized, we gave them copies and asked them to read it prior to shooting. But children are just not some professional actors, child children of them read the script throughout (laughs). So I had to sit their starting every day of the shooting and read aloud together, one page at a time.
What became of the original team members?
As you know, it was when Kim led the team to East Timor to become champions 2004. The first members of this team are now in their late teens and many of them make appearances in the film (as grown up soccer players). They all went different ways. Some of them are still playing football.
You think that young people in the movie have a future in professional football, for example, Ramos? It is phenomenal.
Yes. I think that Ramos could certainly a football star. The other two (Motavio and Tuo), I don't know. I think they like playing but have other interests.
Your previous film, The Crossing (2008) (on the flight of North Korean refugees) deals with an important topic. You are generally attracted to social justice issues as making films?
I think it has had to do with me is old. I do not think that the film should be done just for entertainment purposes. I think that there should be a good balance between entertainment and stuff. At least this is what I'm trying to do anyway.
Talking about a dream barefoot is taken into account for the nomination for the best foreign Film Oscar. This film certainly deserves this honor.
Trailer, visit Metro Cinema for the free night of Korean film
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