How Ewha Womans University is keeping indie cinema alive on campus

Ewha Womans University is providing a haven for indie cinema, showcasing over 1,000 indie films and organizing weekly screening sessions. Support programs and culture complexes exclusively for indie films are helping the industry survive.

Ewha Cinematheque's on-campus movie theater run by students presents a cozy vibe to binge-watch movies. [SOHN CHAE-YOON]

Mass production of commercial films and a lack of exposure for independent films have long threatened the indie film industry. However, neglected films are finding space on campuses through student short film festivals and small independent theaters.

Despite the challenges indie films face, support programs and culture complexes exclusively for such films are helping them survive.

At Ewha Womans University, there is a haven for indie cinema aimed at generating students’ interest in indie films, ranging from feminist films to low-budget documentaries.

Ewha Cinematheque, a student-run cinema association established in 1994, archives over 1,000 indie films, including experimental art films.

The association operates a movie theater at the university campus' Student Union Room 343, hosting screening sessions of non-mainstream pictures for free every Tuesday to Friday. Each session has a unique weekly concept.

For instance, a recent screening session from April 16 to 18 explored socialist feminist movies from Korea, the Soviet Union and China, such as “The New Gulliver (1935)” and “The Flower Girl (1972),” delving into the historic and political backgrounds of sexual exploitation and capitalist inequality.

The themes of each film are reflected in the merchandise and treats prepared by the organization during the screenings.

According to Lee Gi-an, the director of Ewha Cinematheque and a junior from the Department of French Language & Literature, the films shown are hand-picked by members through discussions at the start of each semester.

“Our committee consists of students from different majors and interests, allowing for dynamic film screenings,” Lee said. “The films we show reflect our commitment to cultural diversity and human rights, attracting foreign exchange students and professors alike.”

As part of Liber Ewha, the university's 138th spring festival, Lee organized a late-night movie marathon titled "So long, WORLD," showcasing three films: “Spirited Away (2001),” “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001)” and “Barbie (2023).”

Students enjoyed a range of treats alongside the movies, from Harry Potter’s "Every Flavor Beans" to traditional Korean snacks like honey rice cakes in pink, matching Barbie’s signature color.

Although these films are mainstream, Lee explained why they were chosen for the festival.

“The reason we choose popular films for large-scale festivals is to initially engage students with movies that resonate with a mainstream audience,” Lee said. “This hopefully encourages them to later explore independent films tackling socially relevant topics and participate in our weekly screening sessions.”

The institute also organizes special introductory programs to support independent films. Since last year, it has led Momentary, a project in collaboration with Arthouse Momo, a movie theater at the university's Ewha Campus Complex.

As part of this project, newly released Korean indie films are introduced and reviewed by Ewha Cinematheque members through its official Instagram account.

One recent film discussed was “Not One and Not Two,” directed by Seo Bo-hyung, integrating elements of Korean Buddhism into the daily lives of two people.

Arthouse Momo is another venue that introduces indie cinematic pieces to the public. The theater presents domestic and international award-winning independent films for 9,000 won ($6.60) on weekdays and 10,000 won on weekends. Ewha students receive a 1,000 won discount with their student ID card, and collecting 10 stamps earns a free movie.

This year, Arthouse Momo showcased the Oscar-nominated American movie “Past Lives (2023),” starring actor Yoo Te-o, and the Spanish-French animated tragicomedy film “Robot Dreams (2023).”

The art house also celebrates Ewha Day on the evening of every second Thursday of the month, offering discounted tickets for 6,000 won.

Among those who visit Arthouse Momo, Saya Ichiyoshi, a sophomore from the Division of International Studies, expressed her appreciation as a cinephile for the theater's existence.

“The wide variety of films is a great benefit,” Ichiyoshi said. “Having Arthouse Momo screen Japanese indie films, even minor ones, makes it convenient for me to visit the cinema without extensive searching.”

A poster for the documentary “SEWOL: Years in the Wind,” one of the indie cinematic films that was available through Arthouse Momo. [ARTHOUSE MOMO]

As Ichiyoshi mentioned, Arthouse Momo screens films of all kinds. One notable documentary screened at the theater is “SEWOL: Years in the Wind,” showcasing real video footage directed by Moon Jong-taek, the father of a victim in the Sewol Ferry disaster.

While only a few theaters in Korea screened it, Arthouse Momo held a talk session with Moon at the start of the 2024 spring semester.

Aside from serving as a theater, Arthouse Momo functions as a cultural complex. It hosts underrated indie film exhibitions and in-depth conversations with film directors throughout the year. School film clubs are also invited to host their film festivals at the theater.

Regarding merchandise, posters and sometimes additional goods like calendars, are offered on a first-come, first-served basis for every film.

This article has been contributed by Lee So-yoon of Ewha Voice, an English-language publication from Ewha Womans University.

BY STUDENT REPORTER LEE SO-YOON [sosoyoon11@ewhain.net]