THE THIRD TONGUE

2003, 16mm, Experimental, B&W, Sound, 14:13

SYNOPSIS

In its profound exploration of the English language learning journey, THE THIRD TONGUE delves into a profound apprehension that arises from the perceived erosion of historical identity within a post-colonial society.

REVIEWS

"The first of two remarkable and provocative shorts...The film is essentially a post-Godardian essay, mounted with exemplary wit and full regard for the emotional values of sounds and images." - Tony Rayns

"Describe in English the following images: a cheese plate, pots and pans, and bombed-out Korean cities. By inserting images from Koreas past, particularly footage from the Korean War, into an ESL multiple choice quiz, The Third Tongue explores the loss of historical identity in a post-colonial society and equates power with the English language. Son raises an important question as to why Koreans strive to learn the dominant economic language: is it a process of natural evolution or is it based on a fear of an old wound? A haunting look at the legacy of war." - 2004 Images Festival

EXHIBITIONS & SCREENINGS

2024 MMCA Photographs Collection: What's the Time in Your World?, MMCA, Gwacheon, KR
2023 Experimental Film and Video Festival in Seoul(EXiS), Seoul, KR
2018 Dear Cinema 4, MMCA Film & Video, Seoul, KR
2016 group EMERGING OTHER, Arko Art Center, Seoul, KR
2008 group DOCUMENTARY SHOW-DIARY, Ilmin Museum of Art, Seoul, KR
2008 group INNER LINES, Guwahati, IN
2007 Sangsangmadang Opening Festival, Seoul, KR
2006 group SHARED HISTORY/DECOLONISING THE IMAGE, Amsterdam, NL
2006 Women of Color Film Festival (Berkeley, CA)
2005 Frankfurt Book Fair: Special Screening Regarding Korean Modern History (DE)
2005 Festival International de Films de Creteil (FR)
2005 Image Forum: Korean Independent Cinema 2005, Tokyo, JP
2004 Women Make Waves (TW)
2004 Seoul Experimental Film Festival (KR)
2004 IndieForum, Seoul, KR
2004 Busan Asian Short Film Festival (KR)
2004 Images Festival, Toronto, CA
2004 PDX Film Festival, Portland, US
2004 Women’s Film Festival in Seoul (KR)
2003 Seoul Independent Film Festival (KR)
2003 Pusan International Film Festival: Sonje Fund Award (KR)

COLLECTION

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art(MMCA)
Korean Film Archive (16mm film)