Dinner with Mascot

Interview with Leeha Kim, director of Mascot

What did you want to explore when creating this great character of a fox training in a mascot academy?
I wanted to talk about a system or kind of factory that makes a standard and evaluates people on that basis. In Korea, people usually think being different is wrong.

Mascot was selected in festivals in France and Korea. Are you happy with the audience’s reactions so far?
Actually there was no reaction in my film’s screening at that moment, but after screening, I heard a lot of praise. I’m glad but sad that many viewers have sympathized with Mascot whether they live in France, Japan, Canada or Korea.

Can you tell us a bit about your animation style?
It was my third animation work, but I would like to show the texture and feeling of painting and the reality of Korean youths as personified animals. On the other hand, it seems to be a documentary film.

Would you say that the short film format has given you any particular freedom?
Short film makes me feel free that it also feels more difficult than other works. But I love the tolerance of short films.

What do you consider your cinematographic references?
I refer to the work of Maborosi by Hirokazu Kore-eda. The poet’s emotion is contained in the work.

Mascot is part of International Competition I2.