The Korean Cultural Centre Canada organized a special film screening event to mark the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation, known as Gwangbokjeol, bringing acclaimed Korean cinema directly to students at Vancouver Film School (VFS). The commemorative event featured two critically acclaimed films by renowned director Lee Joon-ik, offering students at one of North America's premier film arts institutions an immersive experience in Korean historical cinema.

The special screening showcased two of Lee Joon-ik's most celebrated works that explore Korea's complex colonial history. "DONGJU: The Portrait of a Poet," released in 2016, tells the story of Korean independence activist and poet Yun Dong-ju during the Japanese colonial period. The second film, "Anarchist from Colony" (2017), depicts the life of Korean independence fighter Park Yeol and his relationship with Japanese anarchist Fumiko Kaneko. Both films have been recognized for their artistic merit and historical significance in portraying Korea's struggle for independence.

Following the film screenings, Vancouver Film School students participated in an exclusive live director's talk with Lee Joon-ik through the Zoom online platform. This interactive session provided a unique opportunity for aspiring filmmakers to engage directly with one of Korea's most respected directors, allowing them to gain insights into his creative process, historical research methods, and approach to depicting sensitive historical subjects through cinema.

The event represents part of the Korean Cultural Centre Canada's broader mission to promote Korean culture and history through artistic exchange. By partnering with Vancouver Film School, the cultural center successfully connected Korean historical narratives with international film education, fostering cross-cultural understanding through the medium of cinema. The timing of the event, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule, added special significance to the educational experience for participating students.