Sandstorm

Wrestlers Choi Heehwa, Kim Dahye, Yang Yoonseo, Song Songhwa and Lim Soojeong are novices of the Kolping Women’s Ssireum Team. A women’s sport that was only accepted by the Korean Ssireum Association in 1999 and only began to receive attention ten years later when Lim Soojeong won the championship.

The directorial debut of Park Jaemin, Sandstorm follows the fighters of the Kolping Women’s Ssireum Team for five years from 2017. As a team and as individuals we witness their matches, joys and moments of glory but also the slumps, doubts and injuries. The film uncovers the persistent gender roles in Korean society as they pertain to the body, ageing and familial duties. Complementing and enriching each other’s stories, the player’s determination, passion, friendship and mutual support for one another sensitively unravel over time. 

Sandstorm comes as a very timely Korean voice to contribute to the debate on the position of women in sports, ultimately showing that sportsmanship knows no gender. Take in the electrifying, adrenaline and dopamine-rising women’s ssireum matches rarely given cinematic treatment.

– kijA

Trailer

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