Exploring identity, memory and survival

Documentaries serve as powerful tools for storytelling, revealing hidden histories, cultural shifts, and personal narratives. This year’s FEFF Documentary Sidebar – Suzzanna: The Queen of Black Magic, Walking in the Movies, The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru, Chinatown Cha-Cha and Four Trails – each engage with themes of identity, memory, and survival. Though diverse in subject matter – ranging from cinematic nostalgia to historical tragedies and personal endurance – they collectively illuminate the complexities of Asian experiences and histories. By exploring these films together, we can uncover how they capture cultural heritage, personal and collective resilience, and the ongoing dialogue between past and present.

Two of these films, Walking in the Movies and Chinatown Cha-Cha, explore identity and memory through the lens of film and entertainment. Kim Dong-ho is the founder of the Busan International Film Festival and one of the key figures in the rise of Korean cinema. Starting his career as a civil servant, he dedicated his whole life to the sheer passion for films. With his deep commitment and instinctive creativity, he will keep Walking in the Movies. Meanwhile, Chinatown Cha-Cha is a documentary that follows Coby Yee, a former burlesque dancer, and her dance troupe, the Grant Avenue Follies, as they embark on a final tour, bridging Chinese communities in the US, Cuba, and China, and reflecting on their lives and the golden age of San Francisco Chinatown. They remind us that identity is often shaped through the arts, and the history of film and performance is deeply tied to cultural heritage.

While Walking in the Movies and Chinatown Cha-Cha explore nostalgia and cultural identity, The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru confronts a darker past. This documentary recounts the tragic 1942 sinking of a Japanese transport ship carrying British prisoners of war. Many of these men drowned due to the cruelty of their captors, while others survived against impossible odds. The film not only reveals a lesser-known wartime atrocity but also serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. By reconstructing this historical event, the documentary ensures that these stories are not forgotten, reinforcing the importance of memory in shaping national and global identities.

Suzzanna: The Queen of Black Magic focuses on one of Indonesia’s most iconic horror film stars, Suzzanna, who became a symbol of supernatural storytelling in Southeast Asia. The documentary explores her impact on Indonesian horror cinema and the way folklore and myth shape popular consciousness. Suzzanna’s films, often centered around vengeful spirits and black magic, resonate deeply with audiences because they reflect societal anxieties and cultural beliefs. Her legacy continues to influence contemporary horror, demonstrating how folklore serves as a bridge between generations.

Finally, Four Trails presents another form of resilience – one rooted in physical endurance. The documentary follows the journey of individuals taking on Hong Kong’s four major ultra-distance hiking trails. Through this lens, the film explores not only the physical challenge of these trails but also the mental and emotional strength required to complete them. In many ways, Four Trails mirrors the themes of survival seen in The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru, albeit in a vastly different context. Whether facing war, personal hardship, or extreme physical endurance, all these films celebrate the human ability to push forward against adversity.

Taken together, these documentaries reveal the multifaceted nature of Asian experiences, blending history, folklore, cinema, and endurance. Whether through nostalgia for films and entertainment, the remembrance of historical tragedies, the preservation of folklore, or the pursuit of physical resilience, each documentary contributes to a larger narrative about identity and survival. They remind us that memory is fluid – shaped by storytelling, personal experiences, and collective histories – and that by engaging with the past, we better understand our present and future.