The Trees Remember
Vancouver, Canada | Film Short
Drama, War
We are telling a story about the forgotten Korean freedom fighters who risked everything for liberty. Filmed in harsh winter conditions with a small independent team, this project exists because of passion and belief. Your support helps us finish the film and keep their memory alive.
The Trees Remember
Vancouver, Canada | Film Short
Drama, War
4 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
C$4,160
Goal: C$10,000 for production
We are telling a story about the forgotten Korean freedom fighters who risked everything for liberty. Filmed in harsh winter conditions with a small independent team, this project exists because of passion and belief. Your support helps us finish the film and keep their memory alive.
Participating In
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
(Early production footage)
In 1905, after a failed revolt against Japanese forces, two young Korean freedom fighters flee into the frozen mountains. Wounded, hunted, and alone, they must survive the wilderness while facing the weight of loss, guilt, and the cost of freedom.
The Trees Remember (나무는 기억한다) is a historical drama inspired by the real struggles of the Korean independence movement. Many resistance fighters fought in extreme conditions with little support, often knowing they might never be remembered.
Their names may be forgotten, but the land remembers.
The forests remember.
The mountains remember.
This film tells a story of survival, sacrifice, and the price of freedom when hope itself begins to disappear.
Why this film? Why us? Why now?
We are an independent filmmaking team based in Vancouver, Canada, creating this film with a deep respect for history and a commitment to realism.
Much of the film is being shot outdoors in real winter conditions to reflect the environments that Korean independence fighters endured. Our cast and crew have filmed in snowstorms, freezing winds, and remote mountain locations to capture the raw, human side of this story.
This project is personal to us.
Stories of the early independence fighters are rarely shown in film, especially outside of Korea. Many people know the later history, but not the years when small groups of young fighters struggled alone, with little hope of survival.
We believe this story deserves to be told now. With honesty, with intensity, and with respect.
Where we are now & how you help finish the film
We are currently in the early stages of production, with initial filming already underway.
This project is being created independently, funded out of our own pockets, with the help of a small but dedicated team of artists, actors, and volunteers.
This campaign will help us continue production and bring the film to completion by covering:
- Upcoming shoot days in remote mountain locations
- Cast and crew support
- Post-production (editing, sound, colour)
- Festival submission fees
- Promotion and distribution
Our goal is to complete the film and submit it to major international festivals, including Busan, Berlin, Sundance, and others, with the long-term vision of developing this story into a feature film.
If we go beyond our goal, additional funds will go toward:
- Higher-quality post-production finishing
- Original music and sound design
- More festival submissions worldwide
- Expanding the project into a feature film
Call to Action
If this story speaks to you, you can help bring it to life.
✔ Pledge to support the film
✔ Follow the campaign by making a Seed & Spark account
✔ Share this page with others
✔ Stay up to date by following these Instagram accounts: @treesremember @suitwhisperer
Every contribution helps us finish this film and share a story of resistance, memory, and freedom with audiences around the world.
Because even when history forgets…
The trees remember.
Behind-the-Scenes
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Camera & Equipment Rental
Costs C$3,000
Professional camera, lenses, and sound gear needed to film in harsh winter conditions and capture the cinematic look this story requires.
Transportation & Travel
Costs C$1,500
Travel, fuel, and vehicle rentals needed to bring cast, crew, and equipment into remote mountain locations where the film takes place.
Food & Craft Services
Costs C$500
Meals, snacks, and hot drinks for cast and crew filming long hours in freezing outdoor conditions, helping everyone stay safe and focused.
Props, Wardrobe & Production Design
Costs C$500
Period costumes, props, and set materials needed to recreate 1905 Korea and portray the world of the independence fighters authentically.
Crew & Cast Salary
Costs C$3,000
Supports the team behind the film, whose dedication and endurance made it possible to capture this story in challenging conditions.
Editing & Sound Design
Costs C$750
Helps bring the frozen landscapes and emotional tension together, shaping a cohesive and immersive final film, via editing and sound design.
Festival Fees & Promotion
Costs C$750
Festival submission fees and promotion needed to bring the film to international audiences and festivals such as Busan and beyond.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
JOSEPH - WRITER, DIRECTOR, ACTOR
BIO: Joseph Ku is a Korean-Canadian filmmaker and director who studied Film Production at Simon Fraser University. His work focuses on historical storytelling, identity, and themes of memory, sacrifice, and freedom. He has directed several independent short films, often blending dramatic realism with visually stylized environments. Joseph is passionate about telling overlooked stories from Asian history and bringing them to international audiences through cinema.
IAN - ACTOR, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
BIO: Ian Kim is a South Korean actor with an international career across Canada, the United States, China and South Korea. His work spans major global streaming platforms, including Netflix, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime, and Disney+, as well as Korean and Asian broadcasters such as MBC, SBS, MBN, and iQIYI, demonstrating strong range and adaptability, and his impeccable bilingual ability in Korean and English.
JUSTIN - CINEMATOGRAPHER
BIO: Justin is a highly experienced Cinematographer working on a large range of productions from feature films, TV movies, music videos, advertising and short films. Justin was nominated in the 2023 Leo awards for Best Cinematography in a TV movie for his work on "Why Can't My Life be a Rom-com". Justin is always working to serve the vision of the director and strive for a visual simplicity that amplifies each script he works on.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
(Early production footage)
In 1905, after a failed revolt against Japanese forces, two young Korean freedom fighters flee into the frozen mountains. Wounded, hunted, and alone, they must survive the wilderness while facing the weight of loss, guilt, and the cost of freedom.
The Trees Remember (나무는 기억한다) is a historical drama inspired by the real struggles of the Korean independence movement. Many resistance fighters fought in extreme conditions with little support, often knowing they might never be remembered.
Their names may be forgotten, but the land remembers.
The forests remember.
The mountains remember.
This film tells a story of survival, sacrifice, and the price of freedom when hope itself begins to disappear.
Why this film? Why us? Why now?
We are an independent filmmaking team based in Vancouver, Canada, creating this film with a deep respect for history and a commitment to realism.
Much of the film is being shot outdoors in real winter conditions to reflect the environments that Korean independence fighters endured. Our cast and crew have filmed in snowstorms, freezing winds, and remote mountain locations to capture the raw, human side of this story.
This project is personal to us.
Stories of the early independence fighters are rarely shown in film, especially outside of Korea. Many people know the later history, but not the years when small groups of young fighters struggled alone, with little hope of survival.
We believe this story deserves to be told now. With honesty, with intensity, and with respect.
Where we are now & how you help finish the film
We are currently in the early stages of production, with initial filming already underway.
This project is being created independently, funded out of our own pockets, with the help of a small but dedicated team of artists, actors, and volunteers.
This campaign will help us continue production and bring the film to completion by covering:
- Upcoming shoot days in remote mountain locations
- Cast and crew support
- Post-production (editing, sound, colour)
- Festival submission fees
- Promotion and distribution
Our goal is to complete the film and submit it to major international festivals, including Busan, Berlin, Sundance, and others, with the long-term vision of developing this story into a feature film.
If we go beyond our goal, additional funds will go toward:
- Higher-quality post-production finishing
- Original music and sound design
- More festival submissions worldwide
- Expanding the project into a feature film
Call to Action
If this story speaks to you, you can help bring it to life.
✔ Pledge to support the film
✔ Follow the campaign by making a Seed & Spark account
✔ Share this page with others
✔ Stay up to date by following these Instagram accounts: @treesremember @suitwhisperer
Every contribution helps us finish this film and share a story of resistance, memory, and freedom with audiences around the world.
Because even when history forgets…
The trees remember.
Behind-the-Scenes
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Camera & Equipment Rental
Costs C$3,000
Professional camera, lenses, and sound gear needed to film in harsh winter conditions and capture the cinematic look this story requires.
Transportation & Travel
Costs C$1,500
Travel, fuel, and vehicle rentals needed to bring cast, crew, and equipment into remote mountain locations where the film takes place.
Food & Craft Services
Costs C$500
Meals, snacks, and hot drinks for cast and crew filming long hours in freezing outdoor conditions, helping everyone stay safe and focused.
Props, Wardrobe & Production Design
Costs C$500
Period costumes, props, and set materials needed to recreate 1905 Korea and portray the world of the independence fighters authentically.
Crew & Cast Salary
Costs C$3,000
Supports the team behind the film, whose dedication and endurance made it possible to capture this story in challenging conditions.
Editing & Sound Design
Costs C$750
Helps bring the frozen landscapes and emotional tension together, shaping a cohesive and immersive final film, via editing and sound design.
Festival Fees & Promotion
Costs C$750
Festival submission fees and promotion needed to bring the film to international audiences and festivals such as Busan and beyond.
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
JOSEPH - WRITER, DIRECTOR, ACTOR
BIO: Joseph Ku is a Korean-Canadian filmmaker and director who studied Film Production at Simon Fraser University. His work focuses on historical storytelling, identity, and themes of memory, sacrifice, and freedom. He has directed several independent short films, often blending dramatic realism with visually stylized environments. Joseph is passionate about telling overlooked stories from Asian history and bringing them to international audiences through cinema.
IAN - ACTOR, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
BIO: Ian Kim is a South Korean actor with an international career across Canada, the United States, China and South Korea. His work spans major global streaming platforms, including Netflix, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime, and Disney+, as well as Korean and Asian broadcasters such as MBC, SBS, MBN, and iQIYI, demonstrating strong range and adaptability, and his impeccable bilingual ability in Korean and English.
JUSTIN - CINEMATOGRAPHER
BIO: Justin is a highly experienced Cinematographer working on a large range of productions from feature films, TV movies, music videos, advertising and short films. Justin was nominated in the 2023 Leo awards for Best Cinematography in a TV movie for his work on "Why Can't My Life be a Rom-com". Justin is always working to serve the vision of the director and strive for a visual simplicity that amplifies each script he works on.