Sunny Side of the Doc Awards Special Prize to “Karma” at DMZ Docs Industry

Logline: In front of the Seongnam Branch of the Suwon District Court, there is a small legal firm where a father, a certified judicial officer, and his clerk son, work to help the rehabilitation of people in debt. However, it is the judicial officer father who is in desperate need of rehabilitation. He has secretly amassed a debt of 1.5 billion won through horse racing and stocks. Given his debt and job as a judicial officer, he cannot apply for rehabilitation.

After eventually finding out about his father’s situation, the son dropped out of college and has been assisting his father’s work for the past 6 years. They will now have to work at least 20 years helping others pay-off their debts before getting rid of their own debt. Compared to the three-year repayment period established under the Individual Debtor Rehabilitation Act, the fate of this father and son is somewhat harsh. While the son blames his debt-ridden father, the father resents his interfering son for taking away all the economic power. The father and son fight really terribly every day.

Some people live painful lives due to their personal debts or the debts of their sons, daughters, siblings and parents. By living in such a state of despair, what is there to rely on in life? In the midst ofour give-and-take lives, what choices can be made when faced with repaying a debt? Ultimately, it is the clients who visit the legal firm for rehabilitation that provide the father and son their own chance at rehabilitation. In this film, by recording hisfather, who was ineligible for rehabilitation, and clients currently preparing for rehabilitation, the clerk son wants to show the moment of how their debt is becoming their hope.

Karma is produced by JIN Hyundo and directed by KIM Myunwoo.