I Am More

2021, Drag Queen, Korean, South Korea,

Director: Lee Il Ha
Release Year: 2021
Original Title: 모어

Synopsis:

"I Am More" (2021), directed by Lee Il-ha, is a poignant 81-minute documentary that introduces viewers to the life of More, a drag queen who has spent over two decades performing in the vibrant nightlife scene of Itaewon, Seoul. Through the lens of this film, Lee Il-ha captures the light and darkness of More’s life, giving an intimate portrayal of a woman who once dreamed of becoming a ballerina but ultimately found solace and strength in the world of drag.

 

The documentary opens with More preparing for her nightly performance. She applies makeup, dons a wig, and dresses in extravagant attire before heading to "Trans", a well-known drag queen club in Itaewon’s famous “homo hill.” Itaewon, known for its lively nightlife and diverse queer community, serves as the backdrop for More’s performances. The camera follows More through the club's flickering lights, capturing her magnetic presence on stage. As the scene shifts to the backstage area, More looks directly at the camera and quips, "Tip big, wenches," giving a hint of the boldness and wit that define her persona. Directed by Lee Il-ha, a Korea-born, Japan-based filmmaker, "I Am More" is part of a broader body of work that explores the experiences of marginalized communities, particularly Koreans living as racial minorities in Japan. In this documentary, Lee shifts her focus to South Korea, where the socio-political landscape poses unique challenges for sexual and gender minorities.

 

Through the lens of More’s life, the film delves into issues of homophobia, transphobia, and the search for identity in a conservative society. More’s story is one of both struggle and survival. As a young person, she faced discrimination and prejudice, not only from society but also from within the institutions she hoped would support her. More reflects on her painful experiences with gender identity, her mandatory military service, and the stifling atmosphere of the Korean National University of Arts, where her dreams of becoming a ballerina were crushed. Instead of pursuing ballet professionally, she found refuge in Itaewon, where she became a fixture in the drag community. There, she built a career performing drag shows that combined her classical dance training with the expressive power of drag. While the documentary could easily have become a narrative about the suffering and struggles of a queer and trans person, "I Am More" transcends this trope. Instead of focusing solely on the hardships, Lee Il-ha emphasizes More's resilience, power, and beauty. More is not simply a victim of societal oppression but a force who uses performance as a means of both personal expression and political resistance. Through her extravagant performances, which draw on ballet, drag, and avant-garde theater, More challenges the norms of gender and sexuality, creating a powerful statement about queer and trans survival.

 

The film’s aesthetic reflects this philosophy, capturing More’s art in vivid and striking visuals. Lee stages scenes that elevate More’s performances, inviting the audience into her world of high drama and emotional intensity. More’s stage persona is one of fierce determination and raw emotion. She does not rely on humor, smiles, or flirtation to engage her audience, common tools in traditional drag performances. Instead, More’s charisma lies in her ballet-trained body, her extreme expressions of emotion, and her fearless commitment to self-expression. In one particularly powerful moment, the camera zooms in on her face, her eyes wide open and unblinking, conveying a sense of intensity and vulnerability. In "I Am More", More’s performances are not confined to the stage of "Trans". The film takes her out of the club and into various public and private spaces, from a beach and a park to the bustling streets of Seoul, a traditional Korean pavilion, and even her rural hometown in Jeolla province. These settings create new and provocative stages for More to challenge societal norms, with scenes that blend the personal and political. For example, during the Seoul Queer Culture Festival, More performs in front of anti-LGBTQ+ hate groups. Dressed in a pink cheerleader outfit, she holds pom-poms and dances in stark contrast to the crowd of right-wing protesters chanting homophobic slurs. This juxtaposition highlights the tension between More’s vibrant existence and the oppressive forces that seek to silence her.

 

Another powerful sequence takes place in front of Seoul City Hall, where More, dressed in white and adorned with a crown of thorns, stands still in front of a group of Evangelical Christians holding a banner that reads, “Homosexuality is a sin! Return to Jesus!” The scene is a quiet but bold counter-protest, with More’s regal, almost divine presence serving as a form of resistance against the hate and intolerance of the protesters. These moments of performance embody More's countercultural stance, inviting the audience to witness her as a figure of both defiance and beauty. The film also explores More’s personal life, offering a glimpse into her daily existence beyond the spotlight. We see More engaging in mundane activities like buying food, using the subway, or spending time with her accepting boyfriend, Zhenya. These intimate moments humanize her, showing that her life is not just a series of performances but a full, complex existence marked by both ordinary joys and profound struggles. In a particularly poignant scene, the film takes us to More’s childhood home, where she reflects on the family support she received, despite the abuse and discrimination she faced. More’s recollections of her teenage years, including a suicide attempt, are heartbreaking, adding a layer of depth and emotional resonance to her journey. Through "I Am More", Lee Il-ha gives voice to those who have long been marginalized and ignored.

 

The film highlights the courage and strength of queer and trans individuals, while also shedding light on the harsh realities they face in a society that often refuses to accept them. It’s not just a documentary about a drag queen, but a powerful narrative about resilience, artistry, and the pursuit of self-actualization. More’s strength and vulnerability shine through every frame, leaving an indelible mark on the viewer. By the end of the film, More’s journey takes her from Itaewon to New York City, and ultimately, back to "Trans", where her drag career began. "I Am More" invites the audience to reflect on the future of queer and trans art and activism, particularly in South Korea, where LGBTQ+ issues remain fraught with resistance and tension. More’s journey is far from over, and the film serves as both a chronicle of her past and a call to embrace her future. "I Am More" is a testament to the power of self-expression and the transformative potential of art. Through its stunning cinematography and evocative storytelling, the film asks us to consider the strength it takes to live authentically in a world that often tries to silence those who are different. For More, the music is her freedom, and through her performances, she invites us all to join her in imagining a new future.

 

via: youtube

asianmoviepulse.com
mydramalist.com and pacificaffairs.ubc.ca

Image credits: YouTube