The documentary explores the experiences of Korean women who moved to the US as picture brides in the early 20th century

Courtesy of J Wonder

South Korean documentary "The Story of Dreams: Picture Brides" won the Silver Remi at the 56th-edition of Worldfest-Houston International Film Festival, which took place from April 25 to 30 in Houston. The festival is the third-oldest film festival in the US and past winners include renowned filmmaker Steven Spielberg.

Directed by filmmakers Song Ji-hwan, Lee Jeong-tae, and Jo Hyun-woo, "The Story of Dreams: Picture Brides" explores the lives of Korean women who moved to the US or Hawaii in the early 20th century as picture brides. These women chose their husbands through family recommendations and photographs, a practice known as “picture bride”. 

▲ Courtesy of J Wonder
The 50-minute documentary features real-life experiences and stories of discrimination, alienation, and isolation, as well as individual accounts of second-generation Korean immigrants. Among these accounts are those of Esther Kwon, 93, and Mary Zarbough, a 103-year-old woman and the daughter of the late Chun Yun-hee, who left tapes and notebooks as evidence of her life as a picture bride.

"The Story of Dreams: Picture Brides" sheds light on a little-known aspect of Korean and Japanese immigration history and its impact on the lives of women who left their home countries for an uncertain future in the US. The documentary offers a glimpse into the struggles and triumphs of these women and their descendants, as well as their contributions to American society.

The Silver Remi award at the Worldfest-Houston International Film Festival is a testament to the powerful storytelling and historical significance of "The Story of Dreams: Picture Brides". The documentary serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving and sharing the stories of marginalized communities and their experiences.

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