You are here:

In the Absence

Name: In the Absence
Director: Yi Seung-jun
Released: 2018
Duration: 29 min

Representation Score

9.0/10

Excellent

2018

Director

Yi Seung-jun

Runtime

29 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

In the Absence is a powerful examination of institutional failures following the MV Sewol ferry tragedy. It shifts the focus from the disaster itself to the ongoing struggle for systemic change and accountability. By centering the active roles of grieving families, the film transforms them from passive subjects into active political agents. This approach challenges traditional media narratives that often seek quick resolution. While the film does not specifically address LGBTQ+ identities or physical disabilities, it offers a nuanced look at gendered trauma and the psychological impact on the community.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does In the Absence have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film does not focus specifically on LGBTQ+ identities or non-traditional gender roles. Instead, it centers on the aftermath of the Sewol disaster and the fight for accountability.

How does In the Absence portray gender?

Good

Women play prominent roles in the film, often as leaders in the movement for justice. They are shown to be resilient and emotionally strong in the face of government neglect.

How racially and ethnically diverse is In the Absence?

Good

The film features a primarily Korean cast, presenting the local community's experience of trauma without an external perspective. It allows the community to define its own narrative.

How does In the Absence represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The documentary effectively critiques established power structures and state institutions. It prioritizes the stories of survivors over official accounts of the events.

Does In the Absence include disability representation?

Good

The film addresses the psychological impact of the disaster, focusing on the mental health struggles of the community. It portrays the collective trauma with dignity and empowerment.

Present on Screen

Transforming grieving families into active political agents.
Providing a non-Western perspective on a domestic tragedy.
Highlighting the resilience and leadership of women in the movement.

Limited or Absent

Lack of explicit representation for LGBTQ+ identities or related narratives.
No specific focus on physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

When the MV Sewol ferry sank off the coast of South Korea in 2014, over three hundred people lost their lives, most of them schoolchildren. Years later, the victims’ families and survivors are still demanding justice from national authorities.

How are these scores produced? →