Lee Yu-jin’s charming yet resonant comedy-drama is the perfect pre-Pride Day treat. The film follows Manok, queer elder and owner of a popular lesbian bar in Seoul. When attitudes clash over annual Pride Day celebrations, Manok retreats without notice back to her rural hometown.
From the frying pan into the fire, it’s not long before her ex-husband – and town mayor – becomes aware of her return, ensnaring her in a bitter whirlwind of small-town politics. Undeterred by this reception, Manok forges ahead – making new and unexpected alliances in the process – on a mission to heal from old wounds and open the minds of the community.
Manok is a funny and heartwarming tale, which gently reminds audiences to remember Pride is an act of protest; that within our LGBTQ+ community – across countries and generations – we have a shared responsibility to protect and uplift each other.
