ACC Hosts Screening of Director Jerome Yoo’s ‘Mongrels’ Amid ‘Asia’s Devices’ Exhibition

The National Asian Cultural Center (ACC) will host a screening of director Jerome Yoo’s film Mongrels on September 20, accompanied by a Q&A session with the filmmaker and actors Han Jae-eui and Nam Dan-woo, according to a statement released on September 18. The event, part of the ACC’s Asia’s Devices exhibition, aims to explore themes of migration, identity, and cultural boundaries through Yoo’s work.

What Is ‘Mongrels’ About?

Mongrels follows a South Korean family navigating challenges after relocating to a Canadian prairie, where they confront environmental and social obstacles. The film delves into themes of generational conflict, memory, and the dislocation experienced by immigrants, as noted by the ACC. Yoo, based in Vancouver, has previously examined issues of migration and identity in works like My Name is Kim Sam-soon and Parasite, according to his filmography.

Who Are the Key Participants?

Jerome Yoo, the film’s director, has earned critical acclaim for Mongrels, which won the FIPRESCI Prize and a Special Jury Prize at the 28th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, as well as the Grand Jury Prize at the 41st Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. Han Jae-eui, known for her roles in Mask Girl and Good Partner, portrays a family member grappling with cultural adaptation. Nam Dan-woo, who plays a teenager experiencing familial distance, has appeared in independent films like My Roommate Is a Gumiho.

What Is the ‘Asia’s Devices’ Exhibition?

Curated by the ACC since its 2015 opening, Asia’s Devices showcases experimental films and video art from the region. The exhibition, running until September 27, features works that interrogate themes of movement and cultural boundaries. The Mongrels screening is designed to complement the exhibition’s focus on diasporic experiences, as stated by ACC Director Kim Sang-wook.

What Other Activities Are Included?

Following the screening, Yoo and Han Jae-eui will engage in a dialogue with audiences, moderated by artist Yeon Yeo-ri, who designed the film’s poster. The ACC will distribute 50 limited-edition T-shirts, created by Yoo and Yeon Yeo-ri, to attendees. The event is open to the public, with registration required for access.

The ACC’s initiative highlights the intersection of cinema and cultural discourse, offering audiences a platform to engage with global narratives through local exhibitions. As Yoo’s work continues to gain international recognition, events like this underscore the role of film in addressing contemporary issues of identity and displacement.