The Last of the Sea Women is an American documentary film, directed by Sue Kim and released in 2024.[1] The film profiles the haenyeo, a declining community of women in Jeju, South Korea, who dive in the ocean to collect seafood to feed their communities.[2]
The film premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival,[3] where it was named the winner of the NETPAC Prize.[4]
Critical Reception
The documentary's depiction of haenyeo's lives has been criticized by writer Lisa Kwon as uni-dimensional: "Any attempt at a reflection on the contemporary daily lives of Jeju Island inhabitants without acknowledgement of its history feels empty and self-serving. Most attempts lapse into negligence: well-wishers arrive at the archipelago to gaze upon the modern haenyeo, ask uncritical questions about their histories, and, at worst, drive unchecked tourism."[5]
References
- ^ Marya E. Gates, "The Last of the Sea Women". RogerEbert.com, September 9, 2024.
- ^ Danita Steinberg, "The Last of the Sea Women Review: Swimming into the Spotlight". Point of View, September 14, 2024.
- ^ Etan Vlessing, "Eddie Huang, Raoul Peck, Steve Pink Films Join Docs Lineup at Toronto Film Fest". The Hollywood Reporter, August 7, 2024.
- ^ Steve Pond, "‘The Life of Chuck’ Wins Toronto Film Festival’s People’s Choice Award". TheWrap, September 15, 2024.
- ^ "Sue Kim's New Documentary Catches a Diluted Glimpse of Haenyeo's Reality". IMPULSE Magazine. Retrieved 2024-10-17.
External links