Mieke Murkes, a queer Korean adoptee, grew up in the Netherlands. In adulthood, she finds out that her Korean parents are looking for her and travels to South Korea. The film portrays the challenges of reuniting as a family after so many years, dealing with geographic distance, language barriers, Mieke’s queerness, and the reactions of her parents and sisters. Between Goodbyes conveys the protagonists’ conflicting feelings respectfully and sensitively, and also gives a voice to the Korean parents, a perspective often missing from such stories. The film poses questions about the legitimacy of separating parents and children in the past. It points to how rigid gender policies and the lack of state support for poor families created a situation where sending hundreds of thousands of South Korean children to Western countries seemed the only solution. Between Goodbyes draws parallels between Mieke’s individual story and broader systemic factors, offering insight into what it has meant for those involved, both in South Korea and in the West, to live with these experiences.

Introduction by Dr. Anja Sunhyun Michaelsen
and talk with Mieke Murkes (Protagonist of the film Between Goodbyes)

The event will be held in English.

In Cooperation with GeStiK – Gender Studies in Köln

Awards for »BETWEEN GOODBYES«
Best Emerging Filmmaker Award – DMZ International Film Festival
Audience Award – San Diego Asian FF’s Spring Showcase
Grand Jury Award for Best Doc Feature – Los Angeles Asian Pacific FF
Special Jury Award for Feature Doc – Santa Fe International FF
Audience Award – CinemAsia FF
Best Feature Film – International Queer & Migrant FF
Zinegoak, Grand Award
Best Documentary Award – Bilbao International LGBT Film Festival
Emerging Documentary Director Award – Asian American International FF