Profile

Founded in 1991, PURN production(Seoul, South Korea) is a progressive documentary video collective to participate in social movement to give voice to the grassroots.

Within the field of film and video PURN production tries to experiment and develop the art of documentary in Korea. As an visual educational center, PURN promotes media education so the public can understand visual messages correctly and cultivate a more democratic environment. for visual media. Lastly PURN production empowers the public to use visual media to express their views and opinions.

Since 1991, PURN production has documented over 20 various social conflicts, such as, reunification, labor movement, urban poor and eviction, pollution, prostitution etc. They are in solidarity with grassroots to expose fabrication and anti-human ideology of ruling class. In addition, PURN offers a count-point to dominate mainstream journalism in order to give audiences a more balanced sight on history and society.

Usually, PURN production utilizes the home video camera since the entire process of production is directed by a single person the aesthetics and viewpoint of director is must be taken into account.

Another characteristic of PURN production is that its products are distributed by membership. About 250 PURN members are individuals or groups who like documentary video or use documentary as means of social education and discussion. PURN members are able to produce documentaries with funding through membership fee (200US$ in a year) important resource of making documentaries.

The membership system is unique and successful, but it is a desperate situation under the video law, which prohibits the making and distributing of independent film and video. The future of PURN production wholly depends on the membership system, until the abolition of the oppressive video law is fulfilled.