Film Update: Liquor Store Dreams

POV’s Digital Curator Anthony Yooshin Kim caught up with Liquor Store Dreams filmmaker So Yun Um to provide a window into the making of her film and reflect on the journey since the cameras stopped rolling.

So Yun Um, a Korean American director and producer based in Los Angeles, has a gift for capturing intimate and challenging narratives of marginalized communities. Her work is infused with a compelling mix of piercing humanity and poignant editing, which has not gone unnoticed in the industry. She was named a 2022-2023 BAFTA Breakthrough USA participant and is a 2021 CAAM Fellowship alumnus. Moreover, she has been honored with prestigious grants from the Sundance Uprise and Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program. In addition to her filmmaking endeavors, Um has produced branded K-pop content for Snapchat, Teen Vogue, FB/Meta, and runs So’s Reel Thoughts, a film blog and YouTube channel promoting international, independent, and genre films.

In her directorial debut, Liquor Store Dreams, Um provides a deep exploration into the lives of second-generation Korean American children of LA liquor store owners – a narrative born out of her personal experience. “The story came naturally because I always felt a strong pull towards the liquor store,” Um disclosed. However, transforming this connection into a documentary was a complex task. The idea for the project took shape following the success of her short film, Liquor Store Babies. As Um journeyed through the festival circuit, she received positive audience reactions and suggestions to expand the short into a feature-length film.

However, the crucial turning point came a year later. “In the film, you’ll see Danny, another ‘liquor store baby,’ reopen his family’s store, transitioning from Best Market to Skid Row People’s Market. This act brought the Korean and Black communities together in one space, and it was this inspiring moment that drove me to create… Liquor Store Dreams,” Um revealed.

Venturing into filmmaking with a small crew and limited funds, Um encountered numerous surprises and challenges. But she recognized the importance of adaptability in her process. “The story will always reveal itself to you,” she noted, reflecting on her interactions with people who shared their lives and deepest secrets with her and her camera.

Um’s methodology in documentary filmmaking centers the protagonists of her films. “It’s their words and stories that really inform how I should best tell their story in the most effective and cinematic way possible,” she reveals. This approach is coupled with a rich palette of artistic influences. She draws particular inspiration from the whimsical aspects of Agnès Varda’s The Beaches of Agnès, and the socially conscious storytelling of Spike Lee, whose seminal Do the Right Thing resounds in her own film.

In the aftermath of Liquor Store Dreams, the protagonists’ lives have evolved. Um’s father, Hae Sup, has retired and now spends his time discovering passions beyond work. “He golfs and watches his grandchildren several times a week,” Um tells us, indicating his shift towards a more leisurely lifestyle. Equally transformative has been the journey of Danny Park. He facilitates a “Mens Nonviolent Communication Learning Group” each week while making his own mental health and rest a priority.

Now, Um is turning her attention to new creative horizons. She’s in the process of nurturing several documentary ideas, while also contemplating a leap into the realm of narrative filmmaking. In expressing a desire to narrate a story about her relationship with her mother, she reflected, “Having made a film about my father and myself, I now want to explore a narrative about my mother and me.”

Um’s aspiration for Liquor Store Dreams is more than just creating a successful film – it’s about facilitating insightful dialogues among parents, children, and neighbors. “I hope people watch our film and feel a sense of hope in our future,” she states. “In this day and age of cancel culture, there is no room for nuanced dialogue and empathy. I hope we can continue to have thoughtful conversations and get to know each other more deeply.”

Liquor Store Dreams premiered on Monday, July 10th and is available to stream through October 8th.