Welcome to The Trees Remember
The Trees Remember (나무는 기억한다) is a historical drama inspired by the real struggles of the Korean independence movement. Many resistance fighters fought in extreme conditions with little support, often knowing they might never be remembered.
Their names may be forgotten, but the land remembers.
The forests remember.
The mountains remember.
Joseph Ku, Director
As Korean-Canadians, our history is rarely reflected on screen, particularly within the local film landscape. Stories of the independence movement being told in Vancouver are even rarer, if not entirely absent.
Growing up, I was troubled by the lack of meaningful awareness for this part of Korean history within my community, and the world at large. I hope to confront this absence with this film, to create recognition, and to bring visibility to a history that deserves to be honoured.
Process
Process
01
The Team
Cast: Ian Kim, Joseph Ku Additional Cast: Yuki Kedoin Producer/Writer/Director: Joseph Ku Executive Producer: Ian Kim Associate Producers: Michelle Barrington, Justin Low Cinematographers: Svea Ena Rose, Justin Sebastian Add. Photography: James Sterne AC: Jia Jun Yeo, Hakyoung Lee, Sam Chow, Josh Mercado Sound: Miguel Burgos, Julian Plochl, Justin Low AD: Michelle Barrington, Joohee Kim, Soomin Park, Michael Jung, Lauryn Low, Josh Mercado Makeup/SFX: Taylor Zemlak, Hazel Kim, Rose Akane Wardrobe/Props: Joseph Ku Prop Assistant: Moonsoo Kim BTS: Avi Ratnani, Matthew Chung, Ryan Kim PA: Michael Jung, Laura Herrera, Ilya Vadiati, Anuj Balaji, Catherine Sachs, Chris Akawula Editor: Joseph Ku
01
The Team
Cast: Ian Kim, Joseph Ku Additional Cast: Yuki Kedoin Producer/Writer/Director: Joseph Ku Executive Producer: Ian Kim Associate Producers: Michelle Barrington, Justin Low Cinematographers: Svea Ena Rose, Justin Sebastian Add. Photography: James Sterne AC: Jia Jun Yeo, Hakyoung Lee, Sam Chow, Josh Mercado Sound: Miguel Burgos, Julian Plochl, Justin Low AD: Michelle Barrington, Joohee Kim, Soomin Park, Michael Jung, Lauryn Low, Josh Mercado Makeup/SFX: Taylor Zemlak, Hazel Kim, Rose Akane Wardrobe/Props: Joseph Ku Prop Assistant: Moonsoo Kim BTS: Avi Ratnani, Matthew Chung, Ryan Kim PA: Michael Jung, Laura Herrera, Ilya Vadiati, Anuj Balaji, Catherine Sachs, Chris Akawula Editor: Joseph Ku
01
The Team
Cast: Ian Kim, Joseph Ku Additional Cast: Yuki Kedoin Producer/Writer/Director: Joseph Ku Executive Producer: Ian Kim Associate Producers: Michelle Barrington, Justin Low Cinematographers: Svea Ena Rose, Justin Sebastian Add. Photography: James Sterne AC: Jia Jun Yeo, Hakyoung Lee, Sam Chow, Josh Mercado Sound: Miguel Burgos, Julian Plochl, Justin Low AD: Michelle Barrington, Joohee Kim, Soomin Park, Michael Jung, Lauryn Low, Josh Mercado Makeup/SFX: Taylor Zemlak, Hazel Kim, Rose Akane Wardrobe/Props: Joseph Ku Prop Assistant: Moonsoo Kim BTS: Avi Ratnani, Matthew Chung, Ryan Kim PA: Michael Jung, Laura Herrera, Ilya Vadiati, Anuj Balaji, Catherine Sachs, Chris Akawula Editor: Joseph Ku
02
Production
To portray the conditions faced by these freedom fighters with honesty, we have been filming in real winter environments across British Columbia in remote, snow-covered landscapes far removed from controlled conditions. This approach was essential in creating a visual language that feels transparent, immersive, and authentic to the isolation and hardship of the story. The production has required a high level of adaptability, with the team working through frigid temperatures, changing weather conditions, and the logistical demands of filming in these environments. This experience has become apart of the film’s identity, allowing the story to be told with brutal realism.
02
Production
To portray the conditions faced by these freedom fighters with honesty, we have been filming in real winter environments across British Columbia in remote, snow-covered landscapes far removed from controlled conditions. This approach was essential in creating a visual language that feels transparent, immersive, and authentic to the isolation and hardship of the story. The production has required a high level of adaptability, with the team working through frigid temperatures, changing weather conditions, and the logistical demands of filming in these environments. This experience has become apart of the film’s identity, allowing the story to be told with brutal realism.
02
Production
To portray the conditions faced by these freedom fighters with honesty, we have been filming in real winter environments across British Columbia in remote, snow-covered landscapes far removed from controlled conditions. This approach was essential in creating a visual language that feels transparent, immersive, and authentic to the isolation and hardship of the story. The production has required a high level of adaptability, with the team working through frigid temperatures, changing weather conditions, and the logistical demands of filming in these environments. This experience has become apart of the film’s identity, allowing the story to be told with brutal realism.
03
Completion
We are currently in the early stages of production, with initial filming already underway and the foundation of the film taking shape. This project has been, up to this point, entirely self-funded. This film's progress and road to completion has depended on the extraordinary effort of a dedicated team who have carried the project forward at every stage. Their work extends far beyond their roles, and the film exists in its current form because of their generosity and willingness to contribute under the demanding realities of independent filmmaking.
03
Completion
We are currently in the early stages of production, with initial filming already underway and the foundation of the film taking shape. This project has been, up to this point, entirely self-funded. This film's progress and road to completion has depended on the extraordinary effort of a dedicated team who have carried the project forward at every stage. Their work extends far beyond their roles, and the film exists in its current form because of their generosity and willingness to contribute under the demanding realities of independent filmmaking.
03
Completion
We are currently in the early stages of production, with initial filming already underway and the foundation of the film taking shape. This project has been, up to this point, entirely self-funded. This film's progress and road to completion has depended on the extraordinary effort of a dedicated team who have carried the project forward at every stage. Their work extends far beyond their roles, and the film exists in its current form because of their generosity and willingness to contribute under the demanding realities of independent filmmaking.
Crowd Funding Campaign
Crowd Funding Campaign
Our success depends on those who believe in stories that don’t come easy. The Trees Remember is being brought to life far from comfort. Through cold, distance, and sacrifice, driven purely by passion.
If this story speaks to you, we invite you to be a part of it. Supporting us on Seed&Spark, whether through a donation, a follow, or simply sharing the page, directly helps us carry this film forward.
Every bit of support becomes part of the story itself.
Seed & Spark: https://seedandspark.com/fund/the-trees-remember
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