CONTENT ADVISORY
sexist language/situations
South Korea2025122 minKorean with English subtitlesCanadian Premiere2slgbtq+, Available Online
Pride celebrations are coming up, and Manok, the feisty owner of a venerable lesbian bar in Seoul, is preparing for the annual party. Except the younger organizers want a new vibe, leaving Manok’s bar on the fringes. Irritated at her obsolescence, Manok closes the bar out of spite and moves back to her rural hometown with a fresh start on her mind. But is that possible in a town run by her ex-husband? If anybody can do it, Manok can.
Featuring an endearing ensemble of country characters led by Mal-bok Yang as Manok, Manok is a chaotic fish-out-of-water comedy with musical numbers, political campaigns, and a little romance. As zany as it sounds, it never strays from its heartfelt journey of redefining oneself through life’s challenges, and of finding (and keeping) friends and lovers along the way.
– Aram Siu Wai Collier
Mal-bok Yang, Jae-yun Sung, Wan-kyu Park
OFFICIAL SELECTION
BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival, 2025
Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, 2025
AWARDS
Korean Fantastic Audience Award, Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, 2025
Yu-jin Lee
Born in 1991, Yu-jin Lee studied film at the Korea National University of Arts. Lee has won awards for her various short films at the Asiana International Short Film Festival and Jeju Women’s Film Festival. She has consistently explored comedy and drama genres, with Manok marking her feature debut.
8 Nov, 2025 3:30 pm
TIFF Lightbox C4PG
CONTENT ADVISORY
sexist language/situations
IN PERSON & ONLINE ACCESSIBILITY
IN PERSON & ONLINE: This film is being presented with English subtitles for all spoken dialogue (no sound cues indicated).
Wheelchair spaces and step-free seating is available for this screening – click below to book accessible seats.
Join us for a Q&A immediately after the screening with director Yu-jin Lee.
Six emerging filmmakers embarked on a months-long filmmaking workshop this past summer. We’re proud to present their world premieres here in the 14th edition of Reel Asian’s filmmaking program.
Director's Note NARMADA: A VALLEY RISES launched my career as a documentary filmmaker — but more importantly, it was the film that transformed the way I see the world. Made against all odds, the film stands as a testament of endurance and persistence.
A discussion on artist labour conditions and funding challenges. The IMAA team will present on the Alliance’s resources including the Fee Schedule, the Resource Access Network and the Advocacy Toolkit, followed by a reception and mingling portion. Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with the Alliance team, industry leaders, artists, and peers. Free and open to the public!
Founded in Toronto in 1997, Reel Asian is Canada’s largest pan-Asian film festival and a year-round cultural organization dedicated to championing Asian, Asian diasporic, and Asian Canadian artists and storytellers. What began as a grassroots film festival has grown into a national platform supporting filmmakers and audiences through screenings, education, industry initiatives, artist development, and community programming presented across Toronto, the GTA, and online across Canada.
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