MAIFF 2026  -

Manok

May 29

Cinema du Parc

Fiction

109

minutes

Korean

Content Warning:

About the Film

Director

Yu-Jin Lee

Country

South Korea

Year

2025

Program

Curated by

Description

Manok, the owner of what used to be an iconic lesbian bar in Seoul, hits rock bottom when her mother dies and her bar gets squeezed out by a younger queer scene. Disappointed by her partner and the queer community she once helped build, she returns to her rural home village, only to face prejudice and rejection – and her homophobic ex-husband, who happens to be the mayor. When she finds out that his term is coming to an end, Manok launches an impulsive counter-campaign, driven by defiance, humour and heart. Experienced Korean actress Yang Mal-bok brings a captivating presence to the role, portraying a self-assured queer mentor in Manok, who struggles with ageing and her own resilience. As secrets come to light and tensions rise, Manok must decide: should she fight for her personal rehabilitation or for a community that is reluctant to change?Instead of focusing on the conflicts, Manok takes a humorous, romantic and utopian look at solidarity within the queer community. Whether cis or trans, young or old, rural or urban, Yu-Jin Lee’s feature film debut celebrates intergenerational solidarity and the transformative power of queer chosen family. A fearless, funny and moving comedy about community and standing firm in times of change.

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About the Director
Yu-Jin Lee
Director
Yu-Jin Lee studied film at Korea National University of Arts. In 2020, Lee’s short film Good Mother won the New Filmmaker Award at the Asian International Short Film Festival and was shown at numerous festivals that same year. The follow-up film Outing premiered at the Busan International Film Festival and won the Best Film Award at the Jeju Women’s Film Festival. Butch up! was selected for Five Films for Freedom 2023 at BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival and presented at international festivals. Lee has continuously explored the genres of comedy and drama, with Manok marking their feature film debut.
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