Jane Jin Kaisen's 'Halmang' Documents Jeju Island's Women Sea Divers
Jane Jin Kaisen's film 'Halmang' explores the lives of Jeju Island's haenyeo, women sea divers who have sustained their communities for generations through free-diving practices. The work premiered on February 9, 2024, through ArtReview's platform. These divers, known for harvesting seafood without breathing apparatus, represent a matriarchal tradition facing modern challenges. Kaisen's documentary approach captures their underwater labor and cultural significance. The film examines how these women navigate environmental and economic pressures while maintaining ancestral knowledge. 'Halmang' presents their stories through visual narratives that highlight resilience and ecological connection. This project continues Kaisen's focus on marginalized communities and historical memory.
Key facts
- Jane Jin Kaisen created the film 'Halmang'
- The film documents Jeju Island's women sea divers (haenyeo)
- Haenyeo practice free-diving to harvest seafood
- The tradition represents matriarchal community structures
- The film premiered on February 9, 2024
- ArtReview published the work
- The divers face environmental and economic challenges
- Kaisen focuses on marginalized communities in her work
Entities
Artists
- Jane Jin Kaisen
- Frances Forbes-Carbines
Institutions
- ArtReview
Locations
- Jeju Island
- South Korea