Knot of Memories

🎬 Background of the Project

In September 2024, after starting the Film Directing graduate program at Dongguk University, I passed a comprehensive review with four professors. Soon after, the cinematographer, lighting director, editor, production designer, sound designer, and producer reached out, each drawn in by the script alone. Now, we're moving forward together to bring this vision to life.

Knot uses a "knotted hair tie" as a metaphor to capture the fragile tension between a mother in her 30s and her 7-year-old son, who love each other deeply but struggle to understand each other’s ways of expressing it. At the peak of their conflict, the hair tie becomes completely tangled. It’s only when the mother, Hye-jung, decides to unravel it, knot by knot, that they finally begin to understand one another.

The film’s structure—where past and present intertwine through the hair tie—has been praised for its symbolic and literary quality, which allowed me to bring together an incredible team for this project. Join us for Hye-jung’s magical day as she encounters a hair tie that changes everything.

💡 Creative Intent

Misunderstandings from misinterpreting each other's intentions are a common source of conflict, especially among those closest to us. Ironically, the closer the bond, the harder it can be to truly understand each other, as we often blur the line between their feelings and our own. Knot portrays a mother and son who love each other but get tangled in conflict due to distorted expressions of that love. This led me to explore questions like: Why do parents and children who love each other still end up clashing? Why do misunderstandings arise, and how can we repair these bonds? We can't go back to the past, nor skip ahead to a perfect future; we’re left to confront the present. Even after hurting each other, the future of the relationship depends on the choices we make here and now. In the film, Hye-jung and her son face the moment, expressing their honest feelings, which sets them on the path to healing.

Focusing on the present and being honest isn't easy. Ironically, it’s often during the worst moments that we find the courage to confront each other’s emotions, feel regret, and resolve conflicts. How does a parent and child, in their darkest moment, find the courage to apologize and love each other again? How does Hye-jung find her courage? I hope the film inspires you to explore these questions.

📜 Film Information

Genre: Slice of Life, Fantasy

Length: 10-20 minutes

Synopsis: Hye-jung (32) is worn down by the daily grind and family pressures, while her son, Hye-on (7), is anxious that his mother might leave like his father did. Though they love each other deeply, they struggle to express it, each trapped by their own emotions. At the playground, Hye-on builds a sandcastle and finds a knotted hair tie, which he gives to his mother. The hair tie was a gift to Hye-jung from her best friend, Eun-ha, during middle school, reminding her of cherished memories. Eun-ha once harbored romantic feelings for Hye-jung, but her feelings went unreciprocated, leading to an unexpected confession that caused their friendship to drift apart. Reflecting on her past with Eun-ha, Hye-jung realizes she’s been missing her son’s signals and resolves not to repeat the same mistakes.

🔍 References

Attila Marcel, Arrival, Perfect Days

Knot of Memories draws inspiration from a range of sources, notably Attila Marcel and , Arrival, and Perfect Days. From Attila Marcel, we explore the protagonist's journey of memory recovery and trauma healing, weaving in surreal elements during flashbacks. Arrival inspired the film’s fluidity between past, present, and future, while Perfect Days influenced the emotional depth drawn from everyday life.

Our film uses the knotted hair tie as a device to interlace past and present, resolving conflicts through a poetic and literary structure. This concept has been praised for its unique approach, and I was fortunate to assemble an exceptional team to bring it to life. We’ve adapted Attila Marcel’s shifting between present and memory, alongside Arrival’s expansive concept of time, embedding these themes within the mother-son dynamic. The film also captures the preciousness of everyday moments and the resilience to overcome life’s challenges. Join us as we explore the relationship between Hye-jung, her middle school friend Eun-ha, and her son Hye-on, blending elements of fantasy with the intricacies of daily life.

👥 Team Introduction

Na-yeon Lee (Director) has a background in art and began her career in college, simultaneously working as a screenwriter and script adapter. Her experience includes roles as assistant director and art director, which led her to pursue an advanced degree in Film Directing at Dongguk University’s Graduate School of Film.

Filmography
Wanna Go Out (2024) - Director
Perfect You (2024) - Assistant Director
Hikikomori and a Dog (working title) (2024) - Art Director
Stumble and Sway (2024) - Screenwriter

Jia (Director of Photography) is a graduate of Dongguk University’s cinematography program with extensive on-set experience, including work on numerous short films and as part of the camera team for the OTT series Samdo River Taxi. Jia is now continuing their studies at Dongguk’s Graduate School of Film, focusing on cinematography.

Our team also includes talented professionals in sound, lighting, editing, and art direction, all hailing from Dongguk University’s Graduate School of Film. With years of experience in film, each team member is dedicated to producing the best possible results

🏆  Awards and Recognition

• Producer: Fond Dream Award, Gumong
• Director of Photography: Streaming Platform - Samdo River Taxi (set to air soon)
• Lighting Director: Yin and Yang Judge
  - Kyoto International Student Film Festival (26th Edition)
  - Macau International Movie Festival
  - The Painted Face
  - The Houston International Film Festival
  - Ulsan Short Film Festival
  - Independent Shorts Awards
  - Rome Prisma Film Awards
  - FLICKERS' Rhode Island International Film Festival

🎭 Cast

From left to right: Present-day Hye-jung (Han Sun-woo), her son Hye-on (Lim Si-on), middle school Eun-ha (Jeon Joo-won), and middle school Hye-jung (Jeon Seo-bin).

• Hye-jung (Mother): Striving to be a good mother, Hye-jung finds herself exhausted by the repetitive routines of daily life. She struggles with guilt, feeling responsible for the changes in her family dynamics and her son Hye-on’s difficulties in connecting with friends and communicating with her. Though she feels sorry toward Hye-on, she’s unsure of the exact nature of her remorse.
  
• Hye-on (Son): At an age where he’s learning to navigate society, Hye-on has a sensitive and gentle spirit but finds it difficult to fit in with his peers. Previously living with both parents, he now lives solely with his mother due to adult circumstances. Afraid that his mother could disappear like his father, he seeks her attention in his own way, hoping she will understand his feelings—yet she often misses his signals.
• Middle School Hye-jung: She admires Eun-ha and looks up to her, with a touch of hero worship. Carefree and somewhat oblivious, young Hye-jung is focused on herself, which makes her unaware of the signals Eun-ha sends and the emotions she’s expressing.
• Middle School Eun-ha: Eun-ha finds Hye-jung amusing and holds feelings for her that go beyond friendship. Although she appears logical, she has a strong belief in superstitions. Calm and articulate, Eun-ha gradually reveals her feelings to Hye-jung, but when Hye-jung doesn’t understand, Eun-ha struggles and ultimately tries to express herself more directly.

📸 On-Set Scenes

📸 Stills (Unedited)

🕒 Production Timeline

• Pre-production: August – September 2024
• Production: October 26, 27, 28, 2024
• Post-production: November – December 2024
• Reward Distribution: January 2025
• Streaming Release: Complete by January 2025

💰 Budget Plan

With Knot of Memories featuring four locations, a cast of four, and a three-day shoot, the estimated budget is around 8 million KRW. We aim to raise 3 million KRW through crowdfunding to communicate the work behind Knot and enhance production quality. Even a small contribution can make a big difference. All funds raised will go toward sound design, production, and post-production. We’re grateful for your support in bringing Hye-jung’s magical day to life!

Pre-production Costs (10%)

• Location scouting
• Casting (currently in progress)
  

Production Costs (75%)

• Equipment (camera, lighting, sound)
• Props (clothing, set installations, fabrics, etc.)
• Transportation costs
• Staff wages and stipends (only external crew members will receive payment, as supporting directors have volunteered their time)
  

Post-production Costs (15%)

• Editing
• Sound design and mixing
• Color grading
• Music licensing
• Titles and credits
• Marketing Costs (Film Promotion and Festival Submissions)

🎁 Rewards

⚠️ Risks and Challenges

To deliver a film of the highest quality, post-production may take longer than anticipated. In that case, reward distribution and streaming release would be moved to February 2025. We will make every effort to stay on schedule and bring you the film in January. If any delays arise, we’ll keep our supporters informed as quickly as possible.