Director Jason Verney (alongside our Native Nomad Pictures & Native Nomad Artists) has been very busy…
Yes. Collating imagery, words, narration, music and more, it’s almost a miracle that we managed to finish this full-length documentary – about the Sewol Ferry & more – in time. Or at least in time for the first film festival we wanted to submit to. That has been done but post-production tweaks and further promotion of it is yet to come.
“S. E. W. O. L: Sealed Eternally With Our Love”
Short Synopsis:
Having been on the ‘frontline’ as an activist for the Sewol Ferry cause since that tragedy in 2014 and having visited Korea on many occasions over the last decade, film director Jason Verney brings a heartfelt tribute to those many who are still keenly interested, including of course survivors, families of victims, fellow activists and friends of those lost to the sea.
Starting from the film director’s beginnings in London, where he first became interested in Korean culture – and ultimately the countries tragedies – and taking us on a journey across seas, through various memorials in Korea and particularly around the time of the 10 Year Anniversary, we are introduced to various facets, general truth-seeking and shown a little more insight into those monthly memorials still happening in London by his fellow activist friends from the group, “Remembering Sewol UK”.
It’s a documentary of several parts, including a special docu-montage entitled “세월호 디스트릭스” (“District Sewol”).
Having recently started doing the rounds on the international film festival circuit, Jason Verney’s dual-language and ‘multi-camera’ 30 minute work of fiction and dram, “REPARATION” has now reached its primary intended audience – Korea.
Yes. This film, a big part of which was shot over the time of the pandemic, has been Officially Selected by the long running Aporia International Village Film Festival.
We will have more detail soon, with regard to to where you may be able to catch “Reparation”.
This news comes a short time after its Official Selection in the 10th Kolkata Shorts International Film Festival 2021.
To give you a little feel for what the film is like, or at least its 3 actresses here is one of the posters produced for “Reparation”.
What does one – one person or one organisation – do when approached by a certain third party, whom at first are reluctant to give what or who they are working for away, asking to use your material on a significant film or programme?
Not only that, your gut feeling is that full credit, in words on screen or money in pocket, may not be provided…
Let me tell you.
You pry, and also pray.
You pry with intrigue, because, after all it’s your footage and hard work they are after. You have every right… and RIGHT, or RIGHTS being key here also.
You pray, for various reasons – and not necessarily in a religious way – and such being any or all of the following:
That you’ll be able to supply what they are after
That the agreement between them and you, or your company will be amicable and businesslike at the same time.
That you’ll get the credit you deserve
That you’ll be reimbursed accordingly*
* Asterisk due to funding isn’t always applicable, as ethics often come into play and the ultimate usage or worthiness of the cause in question.
Negotiation is key in such a situation, but only then sometimes to a degree – but ultimately whether you go with what you may be offered it’s up to you, your colleagues, team or your soul.
So… Jason Verney, our head guy was approached by such a company whom received words requesting if segments of a film could be used. Soon followed a phone-call and then more emails and ‘exchanging of emails’.
In that mentioned phone-call Jason pried for further information, having already guessed what this company wanted it for – And in doing so they, or rather the individual, a pleasant seeming lady, were a little surprised that we knew about the forthcoming ‘show’. Yes, this was to be or play part of an exclusive show and recording on Netflix of a pretty famous comedian.
After to-ing and fro-ing and a release form completion [yep, you’ve guessed it… the agreement was made] the deal was done, and thus another notch on NNP’s / Jason Verney’s portfolio or film resume. All will be revealed as to how this went (and indeed when we have the RIGHT or RIGHTS to elaborate…) – UNTIL THEN, our lips are sealed…
Jason Verney is an independent filmmaker, videographer and journalist, whose websites (and company/ies) include Native Nomad Pictures Limited and Mini Mini Movie & is also proud co-founder of the London Asian Film Society.
Having studied at Uplands Community College, he followed this with several years in both retail and finance industries, making his mark as a manager, mentor and trainer, to name but a few.
During all this time, he was putting to use his creative skills by writing the odd screenplay or two, attending courses and masterclasses – such as at the Met Film School, in Ealing, Raindance and one run by the much revered filmmaker & photographer, Mike Figgis.
With his passion for cinematography, directing and acting as cameraman securely behind him, as well as a constant stream of ideas, he soon began work on many projects, often – but not always – involving Korea, travelling to South Korea, collaborating there and in the UK, studying the Korean language in 2013 and building artistic relationships.
Highlights or high points include being commissioned to film at the Korean Ambassador’s residence in London, securing a Korean musician a venue in London for their UK debut, approached to film events at the prestigious Korean Cultural Centre, UK as well as for the Korean Artists Association (UK) and recording a music video for esteemed musician, Damon Albarn (Blur; Gorillaz; The Good The Bad & The Queen).
Further to this, his video artwork took residence in Kingston Museum for three months in 2017 as part of a Korean/UK related art exhibition. In 2017, the invitation arose to film in South Korea as well as a request to have some of his footage featured in an art exhibition in France.
Throughout his research and links with Korea he has given talks and speeches relating to South Korea, the island of Jeju and various political subjects. Being commissioned to film and document a week’s worth of Finland-Korea cultural events on Jeju island, South Korea in 2017 was also connected to the latter.
… Was quite a year for both Native Nomad Pictures and Jason Verney – The Spring, Summer and Autumn included the following for starters:
May: A trip to Thailand (editing and ‘me-time’ for our founder, Mr Verney).
June – July: A couple of weeks in Korea, which including filming in Jeju for about a week [more on this in another article – A clue though, it relates to a kind of Finland / Korea cultural exchange].
July 6th – 30th September: A video artwork of Jason Verney’s on show in Kingston Museum, Kingston (UK).
Read on for more details as to what this art exhibition was all about…
Whilst in Korea and Asia in general NNP and Jason Verney were working hard… not only on the subject/s which we were there to focus on [in Korea, it was essentially being on Jeju and due to being commissioned to film a week or so of events concerning a cultural exchange between the countries, Finland and Korea] but also working on a presentation-come-video-footage-display-come-talk, linked to that subject in those [ ]’s above. BUT too, working on a video art piece, or video installation… call it what you will.
The latter video art piece is what this article is about, even if we are mainly pointing to the art exhibition in question / as a whole / overall.
In fact, here’s podcast dedicated to this very exhibition.
In the Kingston Museum, a place of certain prestige, history and/or interest* stood, on the wall, a little work of art by Jason Verney, if we do say so ourselves. It’s a video, as mentioned before, and art… so it is, of course a real work of art!
Not only that, there were 13 other works by the other 13 artists involved in this exhibition… an exhibition which was named: Through Their Eyes: Depicting Korea and UK Then & Now – yes, all of these have depicted Korea OR UK in art, or if you prefer, our interpretations of ‘Then & Now’ in the relevant ‘opposite’ country.
To explain, 10 Korean artists focused on the UK, London, Brexit and/or such British subjects. Then, there were 4 British artists interpreting Korea or places linked to Korea in their own unique way/s.
Not only this, there were artefacts, kindly donated by Han Collection (that’s the company – or gallery, or call it a gallery within a gallery, if preferred – inside the art venue known to many as Mokspace on Museum Street, opposite the British Museum) and some beautiful paintings adorning the staircase within the museum, depicting Korean clothing, costume or dress in a certain period of Korea’s history.
* The famous Kingston Museum has another exhibition of more-permanent fixture, we believe, of the renowned, revered or real genius that is / was Eadweard Muybridge. He’s an important man in the world of and history of film and the moving image in general, you could perhaps say. There are other brilliant pieces in the museum as well as a lovely library.
That’s about all we want or need to say about this exhibition, one which started on 6th July 2017 with the Opening Night [obviously!? … well, “Private View” actually!], in which the Mayor of Kingston attended, also the UK Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Mr Joonkook Hwang and not forgetting the exquisite Hyelim KIM and her marvellous – as always – Taegum playing. And… the art exhibition runs until 30th September 2017.
*********
Lastly though and before leaving you with the Press Release, I want to just say that the curator (Seoyoung KIM) ‘kind of’ intended that the first artwork people see is another video art piece (concerning ‘KoreaTown’, New Malden) and then they walk around it, clock-wise, and finish with Jason Verney’s lovely little video – Blowing? Trumpet?! Own!??
So…:
PRESS RELEASE:
Through Their Eyes: Depicting Korea and UK Then and Now
Venue: Kingston Museum Exhibition Dates: 7 July – 30 September 2017
Private view: Thursday 6 July 6:30 pm
This exhibition celebrates the significant presence of the Korean community in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and UK-Korean cross cultural appreciation through historical and contemporary artworks.
The exhibition showcases over 30 colourful woodblock and etching prints by Paul Jacoulet, Elizabeth Keith, Lilian May Miller and Willy Seiler. These reminiscent prints depict the life, landscapes and events of Korea from the 1920s to 1950s. Alongside these historical prints, four British artists (Matthew John Atkinson, Emma Corrall, Jason Verney and Richard Layzell) present their interpretation of contemporary Korea and specifically New Malden, which is home to the largest Korean community in Europe.
Ten Korean artists who live in or have visited the UK, some of whom are Kingston residents, are exhibiting new artworks expressing their experiences and views of life in the UK through different subjects and media. Participating Korean artists are Sarah E. Choi, Eunjung Seo Feleppa, Doyu Min Seo, Sunim, Jee Oh, Yoojin Kim, Manchul Oh, Sungyoung Park, Boreum Oh, and Jeong Min Moon.
The exhibition is generously sponsored by the Han Collection and British Korean Society.
Korean art and craft activities for families and children will be hosted at the Museum throughout the duration of the exhibition.
Associated Events:
Thumbs up It’s Thursday! – 1 to 4 pm
Thursday 27 July Making collage frames
Thursday 3 August Making flowers with Korean traditional paper and tissue paper
Thursday 10 August Making Korean traditional paper drums
Thursday 17 August Making kites
Thursday 24 August Styrofoam printing
Thursday 31 August Making flower patterns with straws
Saturday 9 and 23 September 2 to 4 pm
Family Special: Korean Art
Explore woodblock printing and stencils. Work with a Korean artist to make your own artwork. Suitable for 5+ years old. £3 per child
Thursday 21 September, 6 pm
Korean Contemporary Art (tbc)
Talk by Jeyun Moon, Curator at the Korean Cultural Centre about Korean contemporary art in Korea and the UK.
Thursday 31 August to 3 October
Community Case display
‘Dol’, Baby’s First Birthday Celebration in Korea
Korean traditional dress, Hanbok designer, Ji Hyen Park, showcases two sets of the special Korean dress, of both traditional and contemporary styles, which babies wear for their first birthday celebration.
Address: Kingston Museum, Wheatfield Way, Kingston upon Thames KT1 2PS
What does one – one person or one organisation – do when approached by a certain third party, whom at first are reluctant to give what or who they are working for away, asking to use your material on a significant film or programme?
@NativeNomadPics / Jason Verney 
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