If You Were Me: Anima Vision 2, produced by the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK), debuted at the 2007 Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF) held from October 4-12, 2007 in Busan, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea. The film received much attention and acclaim.
The film If You Were Me: Anima Vision 2 deals with six major human rights themes in Korean society: homosexuality, disability, women and childcare, the macho complex, and multicultural families. In order to produce the film, six directors immersed themselves in the vivid landscape of the six themes for more than two years to capture their pulsating reality.
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea, in an attempt to increase public sensitivity to human rights, produced and released If You Were Me in 2002, If You Were Me 2 in 2005, and If You Were Me 3 in 2007. Taking into consideration the varied subjects and age range that live-action films cannot address, the Commission also produced and distributed If You Were Me: Anima Vision 1 in 2003.
If You Were Me: Anima Vision 2 was also praised for having dealt with human rights issues that non-animated films would have difficulty addressing in a manner that could successfully generate interest and a positive response among all groups of people. Furthermore, the film not only employed the traditional animation method of drawing frame by frame, but also introduced all possible animation techniques and technologies, including clay animation. Such efforts were rewarded with compliments from international fans, who said that the film brought Korean animation to the next level. The National Human Rights Commission of Korea is planning to launch If You Were Me: Anima Vision 2 in general theatres in 2007, in order to reach a larger audience in Korea.
If You Were Me: Anima Vision 2
- Episode 1: The Third Wish (Director: Ann Dong-hee / Ryu Jung-oo)
“I Want to See”
A story about a sightless girl who encounters a fairy who grants her sight.
- Episode 2: Peeling (Director: Hong Deok-pyo)
“A Man Becomes a Real Man Only Through Circumcision”
A story about a father who hopes his son will become a real man through circumcision and his son who tries to avoid the procedure.
- Episode 3: Baby (Director: Lee Hong-soo / Lee Hong-min)
“A Report on the SHOW Republic of Korea: The Number One Reason for Female Resignation is Childcare”
A story about a repressive and discriminatory workplace. A female office worker who is expecting a child agonizes over the repercussions of her child's birth and care. When she applies for maternity leave, the company indirectly pressures her to quit.
- Episode 4: Merry Golasmas (Director: Jung Min-young)
“We Invite Real Santa Clauses: Grand Recruitment of Santa Clauses”
A story about real Santa Clauses who apply for the Santa Claus selection competition so that they may prepare gifts for their loved ones, only to fail due to their sex, skin color or appearance.
- Episode 5: Shine, Shine, Shining (Director: Gwon Mi-jeong)
“Hey, Hey, the Ropy Hair! Please Lend Your Hair so as to Bind This Child”
A story about a multicultural family. The daughter does not want her school friends to discover that her mom is Filipina.
- Episode 6: Lies (Director: Park Yong-jae)
“We Will Live Well Together”
A story about a gay man, referred to as K, who enters into a contractual marriage to appease his parents.
The National Human Rights Commission of Korea was established in 2001, offering investigation and remedy services for Korean citizens and foreigners residing in Korea against human rights violations and discrimination. The Commission provides policy recommendations and remedial action against human rights infringements, collaborates with international human rights organizations and implements educational programs to improve the human rights culture.
