Every miner is my father
Director SONG Kyung | Korea | 80min / 52min | Delivery Date: March 2025
Project Description
Director | SONG Kyung |
Production Company | Magnum Pictures |
Shooting Format | 2K |
Keyword | Human, Society |
Length | Film: 80mim / TV: 52min |
Language | Korean |
Production Country | Korea |
Contact | skpd63@naver.com |
Production Schedule
Pre-production | 2023. 1. - 2023. 5. | ||||
Production | 2023. 8. - 2024. 6. | ||||
Post-production | 2024. 7. - 2024. 12. | ||||
Delivery | 2025. 3. | ||||
Synopsis
Byeong-mun Park grew up as the son of a miner in Taebaek, the largest coal mining town in Korea. He started filming with compassion and respect for his father. On the first day he entered the mine, the cold gaze and abusive language from the miners were rampant. He thought about giving up several times, but moved forward and tried to get closer to them until they accepted him. He recorded the traces of history by following his father’s footsteps at the scene of a life-and-death struggle and realized that all miners were just like his father. With his 20 years worth of record, he made the miners known to the world through his five solo exhibitions—the first one titled “My Father was a Miner” and the last “Abandoned Mine”. When the coal mine closes in 2024, his recording will also end. Even now, Byeong-mun Park’s camera is headed to the mine where black sweat and tears flow.
Director's Note
28, 44, 229, 223, 222... these are not just numbers. These numbers are another name for miners who have lost their lives in coal mine accidents year after year since 1973. At its peak, there were 363 coal mines nationwide. The number of coal mines declined every year and only 3 remain now, which will be closed next year. Even when coal mines are close to their destined closure, there is a photographer who only documents these mines. His records for the past 20 years are the faces of his father who sacrificed his life for his family, and are also the life of every miner on this land. Coal has now turned into industrial waste, and the word “miner” is also being erased from our memories. Documentary photographer Byeong-mun Park is on his way to the last mine. For him, the word “miner” is his fate.
 | The director Kyung Song started directing documentaries in 1990 and has directed 150 human and current documentaries. He has also participated in co-production with the BBC in the UK and the HISTORY channel in the US. |
| Director SONG Kyung | |
