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Dear Elephant directed by Changmin Lee

Commissioned to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Korea-Thailand diplomatic relations, the documentary Dear Elephant follows footsteps of Keongson Lee, a nearly forgotten film director who is recognized as the first Korean to settle in Thailand. Through the exchange of letters between the director Changmin Lee and Keongson Lee’s daughter Muttita Fletcher (Ryeo Lee), the film pieces together Keongson Lee’s life as a refugee during an era of historical tragedy. By examining these personal correspondences, Dear Elephant reveals how history and personal memory intertwine, shedding light on Lee’s experiences and the legacy he left behind. It revisits a significant chapter in the shared past of Korea and Thailand, while honoring an individual whose story has remained largely unknown.

Language: Korean with English subtitles
Country: South Korea
Genre: Documentary, Experimental
Year: 2019
Runtime: 24 minutes