The City of Outlanders (2023)

Jazz of the City

This documentary has the quality of a feature film, with many artistic details added to enrich the viewing experience. The movie tells the story of the city of Gunsan, a port city located on the western coast of South Korea. We hear a little bit about its history, but only as much as needed to serve as background for life there today. The main part of the film consists of short interviews with people about their experience living in this city. There is also a bit of music, well integrated into the film.

Everything contributes to the movie except, in my opinion, the foreign body artist who wants to touch and spiritually connect with the city through her movements. She appeared to me as a foreign presence, but now when I think about it, she actually represents the influence of foreign culture on Gunsan. And like her, I would now like to visit and explore the city myself, hoping to find a hidden/forgotten pearl somewhere.

At the end, the movie lacks a bit of clear messaging. It feels like we are missing a conclusion about the city’s future. I still don’t know: is Gunsan reviving, or is it sinking deeper into slumber?

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