130, Suyeonggangbyeon-daero,
Haeundae-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea,
48058
A LEAVE
DIRECTOR Lee Ranhee
CAST Lee Bongha, Kim Ahseok, Sin Unseop
RELEASE DATE October 21, 2021
CONTACT Indiestory
Tel : +82 2 722 6051
Fax : +82 2 722 6055
Email : indiestory@indiestory.com
Middle-aged worker Jaebok (Lee Bongha) was unfairly dismissed from his job years ago, and ever since, he has been taking part in a lengthy demonstration with fellow laid-off workers seeking restitution. After their latest legal setback, as their appeal fails in court, Jaebok takes ‘a leave’ from his protest to return home. What he finds are daughters who have grown cold towards him after years of him being away protesting, as well as a creeping sense of worthlessness for having been unemployed for so long.
Since he was unable to provide for his daughter’s education financially, Jaebok accepts a part-time job offer from a friend and begins working in a small carpentry workshop. He works there with a much younger colleague, who he gradually grows closer to until something terrible happens at work.
The debut film of director Lee Ranhee, A Leave was introduced to the world last year at the Busan International Film Festival, where it took part in the New Currents Competition. The film was one of several new titles at BIFF that detailed the struggles of laid-off workers and their long sit-ins and legal battles with the powers-that-be. The film went on to screen at the Hong Kong International Film Festival, among other global film events.