Ji Hee Nam is an animator/ motion graphics designer from South Korea, currently based in L.A. A Knife Hanging On The Tree is a film by her which explores the theme of sour grapes. She is inspired by humour from her daily life and finds dark humour very intriguing. One of the key features of her films is how she revisits the same environments. The characters in her films also have very minimal expressions but convey emotion with their very dynamic movements. She believes that the audience could sympathize through her “subtle but constructive art”.
A Knife Hanging On The Tree- Sour Grapes
Cartoons Underground: What is the inspiration behind your film?
Ji Hee Nam: It was inspired by a Korean traditional saying directly translated to “sour grapes” which is used to refer to “an attitude in which someone adopts a negative attitude to something because they cannot have it themselves”. I wanted to focus my work on human interactions and how a small thing could lead up to something bigger that can get out of hand.
Cartoons Underground: How does your background/history or personality translate into your work?
Ji Hee Nam: I put a lot of background or personality through the characters. Some of the gestures they make are sometimes very specific from what I’ve seen. Also, I tend to blend in a lot of my trait into the characters.
Cartoons Underground: How would you describe your style/genre?
Ji Hee Nam: I definitely get a lot of influence from dark humour. I don’t give much expressions to my characters because the actions tell what they think, and it’s a way to keep them unique. The contrast between the expressionless faces with dynamic movements is one way for me to show sarcasm in the film.
Cartoons Underground: What inspired you to pursue animation/filmmaking?
Ji Hee Nam: I liked the independent lifestyle and the solitude that animators had. Working in their own studios/cubicles, only having to interact with necessary people, which was really different. It seemed like they were living in a different time zone than anyone else in this universe and that intrigued me.
Cartoons Underground: What are you most excited about in the animation scene, in your country?
Ji Hee Nam: I’m currently in LA at the moment, and I feel like LA is exposed to so many reachable opportunities for animators. Festivals are happening every time, and all these animators you liked online is right there with you.
Cartoons Underground: As a woman in the industry, how do you think the industry has changed for the better? Do you think it still has a long way to go?
Ji Hee Nam: I haven’t been working a lot in industries yet because I am a grad student (currently), but I think for experimental animators, I don’t think I’ve seen/heard of anything negative so far. But when I do think that big studios such as Disney or Dreamworks, they still have a higher percentage of white male animators. And I think it still has a long way to go to have our voices heard. I think it’s all just step by step.
Cartoons Underground: What is one thing you are proud of having done or accomplished – in your work or in your personal life?
Ji Hee Nam: I was 4 or 5, I loved riding my kick scooter so I would go everywhere with it. There was this really really steep road near my house, and I’ve decided to go down there because it looked really fun. I wouldn’t do it now because I’m worried I’ll break my arm. But I went down the hill at full speed and stopped, and I must say I looked good. That’s one thing I’m actually proud of doing.
Cartoons Underground: What do you wish you could do more or do better?
Ji Hee Nam: I would love to make something physical with wood someday. I’ve done a lot of 2d animations, but never was brave enough to actually do hands-on making.
Cartoons Underground: What’s your favourite thing in the world right now that you can’t get enough of? (Art, Food, Activity, Song)
Ji Hee Nam: I’m obsessed with Szechuan food lately.
Cartoons Underground: What is one thing you want people to know about you?
Ji Hee Nam: My family has two Shiba-inus and I love them a lot. They help me to stay together.
The post Filmmaker Interview – Ji Hee Nam’s “A Knife Hanging On The Tree” Explores an Exacerbating Case of Sour Grapes appeared first on Cartoons Underground.