Traces of Brilliant Spirit
Honolulu, Hawaii | Film Feature
Documentary, Experimental
The country was occupied, a revolution was brewing, and women freedom fighters risked everything to oppose colonization. This film chronicles an intergenerational investigation by a Korean artist and filmmaker as they defy historical amnesia and uncover histories of Korea’s courageous women rebels.
Traces of Brilliant Spirit
Honolulu, Hawaii | Film Feature
Documentary, Experimental
1 Campaigns | Hawaii, United States
67 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$8,911
Goal: $10,000 for production phase 2
The country was occupied, a revolution was brewing, and women freedom fighters risked everything to oppose colonization. This film chronicles an intergenerational investigation by a Korean artist and filmmaker as they defy historical amnesia and uncover histories of Korea’s courageous women rebels.
Participating In
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
This feature documentary is an intergenerational investigation by Korean artist Yun Suknam and Korean-American filmmaker Kyeng McGuirk as they seek to recover the untold histories of Korea’s female freedom fighters. In this cinematic journey, the film unearths the untold stories of these courageous women who defied the odds and fought for freedom during Korea’s colonial era - portrayed in their own words, visualized through animation, and the contemporary paintings of Yun Suknam.
The Characters
Acclaimed artist Yun Suknam is in a race against time and faltering health to preserve vanishing traces of remarkable female freedom fighters, using their stories as inspiration for a monumental final exhibition. She has painted over 70 portraits since 2018 and will not stop until she has finished 120 portraits. The film will delve into what motivates the artist to make these women at this time in her life the subject of her final work.
Through the artist’s lens, each portrait illuminates a pivotal historical moment, revealing a profound resilience in the face of colonialism and the early nationalist movement. The women who fought for Korea's independence were as diverse as they were resourceful. From doctors and nurses to gisaengs, students, and haenyeo divers, they represented every corner of society. Could their struggles help us imagine a new framework to talk about gender in Korea and in our diasporic communities?
Below is an example of how we will bring their stories to life using their words and animation! Learn about Chung Chil-Sung:
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
The purpose of this campaign is to conduct our final production trip to Korea. This second trip is all about uncovering rare archival sources—words, images, and stories—of Korea’s female resistance fighters that history nearly erased.
- Chip in $20 – That’s it. If 500 people each give just $20, we’ll hit our goal and fund the next production trip. Every dollar goes straight to travel, gear, and capturing real stories on the ground.
- Share the love – Can’t donate right now? No problem. Share our campaign with friends, family, or that group chat you're always lurking in. Getting the word out is huge.
- Follow us – Hit that “Follow” button to stay in the loop and boost our visibility on the platform (yep, it actually helps!).
- Grab a perk – We’ve got cool rewards waiting for you—exclusive updates, sneak peeks, and even your name in the credits.
Let’s reclaim these lost stories together!
WHY NOW?
Our mission is to reveal the perspectives of these historical women, using their own words. It's imperative to capture archival evidence on film before it vanishes forever. We've pinpointed specific archives containing recorded testimonies or published journal articles from the personal accounts of freedom fighters.
By giving voice to these women a century ago, the film will spark dialogue; bridging generational divides, providing healing for a painful past, while inspiring change in the present. Our hope is that by shining a spotlight on the struggles and triumphs of these women from the colonial era, we can inspire a new generation of change makers to challenge injustice, break down barriers, and advocate for gender equality.
WHY US?
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Growing up in the diaspora without access to homeland narratives, the filmmaker has long felt a personal void in understanding her cultural history. As she searches for archives, the filmmaker seeks to bridge the gap between her own experiences and the untold narratives of Korean resistance, particularly those of women who were erased or marginalized in mainstream histories. Yun Suknam serves as a grandmotherly figure to fill in the silences left by her own grandparents’ history that has been lost due to displacement. She made a promise to the artist that someday she would share her story. This film is her finally making good on the promise she made over two decades ago.
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Learn more about the crew on 'The Team' page.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Archival Research Access
Costs $2,000
This will pay for access to government archives, cultural museums to use the written words and images created by these historical women.
Equipment Rentals
Costs $1,500
We are bringing most of our own camera and grip equipment but for the bulkier items, we need to rent them on location in Korea.
Feed the Crew
Costs $1,500
Help provide nourishment to the crew who will be on their feet working the equipment on location in Seoul.
Flights and Transpo
Costs $5,000
Airplane tickets and car rental so that we can navigate the different location shoots with our crew and equipment.
Share this update!
About This Team
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Manoa Film & Media LLC is a minority woman owned production company headquartered in Honolulu Hawaii. The production team for this film consisted entirely of women – director, cinematographer, editor, field producer, translator and production assistant.
Editor Shirley Thompson is a three-time Emmy award winning documentary editor, producer and writer with over 30 years of documentary experience. Recent films include Baseball Behind Barbed Wire, The ‘Ilima Lady, and Island Cowgirls. She co-produced & co-directed the Reel Wāhine of Hawai’i series of 30 short films portraying top women filmmakers in the Islands. Shirley has been a member of the New Day Films collective since 1993. https://www.shirleythompson.com/.
Aleta Hammerich is Associate Producer, Cinematographer, and Asst. Editor. Aleta is a local filmmaker and graduate of the UH Mānoa School of Cinematic Art. She is a videographer and editor for Hawaiʻi Women in Filmmaking and the Better Tomorrow Speaker Series. Her past works include The ‘Ilima Lady (Camera, Assistant Editor, 2023), Homestead (Camera, 2023), The Lili'u Project (unreleased, co-producer, editor) and Emmy-winning Reel Wāhine of Hawaiʻi (2021-2024, Cinematographer, Sound, Editor). She has also worked on commercial shoots such as Lilo and Stitch (live action). https://www.hawaiiwomeninfilmmaking.org/our-team
Devin Parnell Murphy is an accomplished filmmaker and veteran producer, known for his distinctive storytelling and innovative approach to film. His notable works include Long Lost Love (2016), A Matter of Husbands (2015), and Here Comes Godot (2014). With a passion for exploring complex human emotions and relationships, Murphy’s films have garnered attention for their deep narrative exploration and engaging character development. In addition to his work as a director, Murphy has extensive experience as a producer, managing budgets up to $10 million and overseeing various aspects of film production. His professional background also includes significant roles in county and film commission work, where he contributed to supporting and facilitating film projects at the local level. Known for his organizational skills and attention to detail, Murphy’s ability to balance creative vision with practical execution has made him a respected figure in the industry.
Mirren Hollison is Lead Animator and an animation industry professional with experience in directing, storytelling, and visual development. Born and raised in Oahu, Mirren graduated from UH Manoa with a B.A. in Animation magna cum laude. Mirren was a story artist for an animated series by A24, worked on HIFF selections and collaborated with the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra to tell culturally significant stories.https://www.mirrenhollison.com/animation
JeeHyun Kwon 권지현 is a veteran Field Producer based in Seoul, Korea and has commercial experience in London since 2005. Her work includes Associate Producer for Deann Borshay Liem in the documentaries - Crossings and Geographies of Kinship as well as Production Coordinator on commercial productions like Black Panther and Amazing Race Korea.
Alison Week is Consulting Producer. Alison launched the Hawaiʻi Doc Club (2021), a program to mentor and support emerging documentary filmmakers in Hawai’i. As Exec.Producer and Co-Director in collaboration with Liz Barney, their documentary feature ISLAND COWGIRLS has premiered on PBS/Pacific Heartbeat in August 2023. Alison has produced several narrative short films, including the award-winning INHERITANCE directed by Erin Lau for Netflix/Goldhouse, and the acclaimed RACKET written/directed by Zoë Eisenberg. Alison produced CHAPERONE, which premiered at SLAMDANCE (2024).https://www.alisonweek.com/
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
This feature documentary is an intergenerational investigation by Korean artist Yun Suknam and Korean-American filmmaker Kyeng McGuirk as they seek to recover the untold histories of Korea’s female freedom fighters. In this cinematic journey, the film unearths the untold stories of these courageous women who defied the odds and fought for freedom during Korea’s colonial era - portrayed in their own words, visualized through animation, and the contemporary paintings of Yun Suknam.
The Characters
Acclaimed artist Yun Suknam is in a race against time and faltering health to preserve vanishing traces of remarkable female freedom fighters, using their stories as inspiration for a monumental final exhibition. She has painted over 70 portraits since 2018 and will not stop until she has finished 120 portraits. The film will delve into what motivates the artist to make these women at this time in her life the subject of her final work.
Through the artist’s lens, each portrait illuminates a pivotal historical moment, revealing a profound resilience in the face of colonialism and the early nationalist movement. The women who fought for Korea's independence were as diverse as they were resourceful. From doctors and nurses to gisaengs, students, and haenyeo divers, they represented every corner of society. Could their struggles help us imagine a new framework to talk about gender in Korea and in our diasporic communities?
Below is an example of how we will bring their stories to life using their words and animation! Learn about Chung Chil-Sung:
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
The purpose of this campaign is to conduct our final production trip to Korea. This second trip is all about uncovering rare archival sources—words, images, and stories—of Korea’s female resistance fighters that history nearly erased.
- Chip in $20 – That’s it. If 500 people each give just $20, we’ll hit our goal and fund the next production trip. Every dollar goes straight to travel, gear, and capturing real stories on the ground.
- Share the love – Can’t donate right now? No problem. Share our campaign with friends, family, or that group chat you're always lurking in. Getting the word out is huge.
- Follow us – Hit that “Follow” button to stay in the loop and boost our visibility on the platform (yep, it actually helps!).
- Grab a perk – We’ve got cool rewards waiting for you—exclusive updates, sneak peeks, and even your name in the credits.
Let’s reclaim these lost stories together!
WHY NOW?
Our mission is to reveal the perspectives of these historical women, using their own words. It's imperative to capture archival evidence on film before it vanishes forever. We've pinpointed specific archives containing recorded testimonies or published journal articles from the personal accounts of freedom fighters.
By giving voice to these women a century ago, the film will spark dialogue; bridging generational divides, providing healing for a painful past, while inspiring change in the present. Our hope is that by shining a spotlight on the struggles and triumphs of these women from the colonial era, we can inspire a new generation of change makers to challenge injustice, break down barriers, and advocate for gender equality.
WHY US?
Growing up in the diaspora without access to homeland narratives, the filmmaker has long felt a personal void in understanding her cultural history. As she searches for archives, the filmmaker seeks to bridge the gap between her own experiences and the untold narratives of Korean resistance, particularly those of women who were erased or marginalized in mainstream histories. Yun Suknam serves as a grandmotherly figure to fill in the silences left by her own grandparents’ history that has been lost due to displacement. She made a promise to the artist that someday she would share her story. This film is her finally making good on the promise she made over two decades ago.
Learn more about the crew on 'The Team' page.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Archival Research Access
Costs $2,000
This will pay for access to government archives, cultural museums to use the written words and images created by these historical women.
Equipment Rentals
Costs $1,500
We are bringing most of our own camera and grip equipment but for the bulkier items, we need to rent them on location in Korea.
Feed the Crew
Costs $1,500
Help provide nourishment to the crew who will be on their feet working the equipment on location in Seoul.
Flights and Transpo
Costs $5,000
Airplane tickets and car rental so that we can navigate the different location shoots with our crew and equipment.
Share this update!
About This Team
Manoa Film & Media LLC is a minority woman owned production company headquartered in Honolulu Hawaii. The production team for this film consisted entirely of women – director, cinematographer, editor, field producer, translator and production assistant.
Editor Shirley Thompson is a three-time Emmy award winning documentary editor, producer and writer with over 30 years of documentary experience. Recent films include Baseball Behind Barbed Wire, The ‘Ilima Lady, and Island Cowgirls. She co-produced & co-directed the Reel Wāhine of Hawai’i series of 30 short films portraying top women filmmakers in the Islands. Shirley has been a member of the New Day Films collective since 1993. https://www.shirleythompson.com/.
Aleta Hammerich is Associate Producer, Cinematographer, and Asst. Editor. Aleta is a local filmmaker and graduate of the UH Mānoa School of Cinematic Art. She is a videographer and editor for Hawaiʻi Women in Filmmaking and the Better Tomorrow Speaker Series. Her past works include The ‘Ilima Lady (Camera, Assistant Editor, 2023), Homestead (Camera, 2023), The Lili'u Project (unreleased, co-producer, editor) and Emmy-winning Reel Wāhine of Hawaiʻi (2021-2024, Cinematographer, Sound, Editor). She has also worked on commercial shoots such as Lilo and Stitch (live action). https://www.hawaiiwomeninfilmmaking.org/our-team
Devin Parnell Murphy is an accomplished filmmaker and veteran producer, known for his distinctive storytelling and innovative approach to film. His notable works include Long Lost Love (2016), A Matter of Husbands (2015), and Here Comes Godot (2014). With a passion for exploring complex human emotions and relationships, Murphy’s films have garnered attention for their deep narrative exploration and engaging character development. In addition to his work as a director, Murphy has extensive experience as a producer, managing budgets up to $10 million and overseeing various aspects of film production. His professional background also includes significant roles in county and film commission work, where he contributed to supporting and facilitating film projects at the local level. Known for his organizational skills and attention to detail, Murphy’s ability to balance creative vision with practical execution has made him a respected figure in the industry.
Mirren Hollison is Lead Animator and an animation industry professional with experience in directing, storytelling, and visual development. Born and raised in Oahu, Mirren graduated from UH Manoa with a B.A. in Animation magna cum laude. Mirren was a story artist for an animated series by A24, worked on HIFF selections and collaborated with the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra to tell culturally significant stories.https://www.mirrenhollison.com/animation
JeeHyun Kwon 권지현 is a veteran Field Producer based in Seoul, Korea and has commercial experience in London since 2005. Her work includes Associate Producer for Deann Borshay Liem in the documentaries - Crossings and Geographies of Kinship as well as Production Coordinator on commercial productions like Black Panther and Amazing Race Korea.
Alison Week is Consulting Producer. Alison launched the Hawaiʻi Doc Club (2021), a program to mentor and support emerging documentary filmmakers in Hawai’i. As Exec.Producer and Co-Director in collaboration with Liz Barney, their documentary feature ISLAND COWGIRLS has premiered on PBS/Pacific Heartbeat in August 2023. Alison has produced several narrative short films, including the award-winning INHERITANCE directed by Erin Lau for Netflix/Goldhouse, and the acclaimed RACKET written/directed by Zoë Eisenberg. Alison produced CHAPERONE, which premiered at SLAMDANCE (2024).https://www.alisonweek.com/