F1-100F1-100

 A secret video diary combining live-action and animation. The American born director creates an intimate portrait of a Malaysian born international student studying at an American art school and is also in the transition of changing gender from female to male. Returning to Malaysia for vacation, the student laments the situation in his country where it is oppressive to sexual and gender minorities. They are not at ease even while in America.  That's because he was issued an F-1 student visa that expires after five years, and after that, he must go back to his home country unless he gets a job or gets a green card.  He is floating around, unable to settle anywhere between the two countries.  As that happens, he immerses himself in the art world and identifies with the avatar he created. He freely draws and assembles the body in a virtual space where only consciousness is permanent, and for the first time, he feels a sense of belonging. The director visually embodies that desire through an image in which the artist and the avatar are mixed.  But that is merely a temporary escape from reality.  To make matters worse, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he is unable to return to school and is stuck in Malaysia.  The luggage that’s unable to be organized speaks of the heart. (Kim Kyeong-tae)