Edhi works as a counselor for queer teens. She decided to undergo genital surgery, believing that if her physical self matched her identity as a woman, she would feel at peace with herself. Alice is a lighting director who has struggled with discord within her own body. She begins to feel the desire to express herself more through her body and even dreams of performing.
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If you're a fan of director Kim Ilrhan, Edhi Alice: REVERSE will be most welcomed. It's the latest feature-length documentary from the filmmaker since Kim made The Remnants (2016) almost 10 years ago. Of course, there was the web series Ola-Papa (2021) and the special exhibition video Keeping the Vision Alive: 6 Korean Female Filmmakers (2018), but those 9 years felt long for those who have been waiting for Kim Ilrhan's next feature documentary. Edhi Alice: REVERSE reminds us of the filmmaker's debut feature, 3xFTM (2008), which told the story of three individuals who had their gender change from female to male. This time, it's about Edhi and Alice, two men who change their gender to women. Edhi is someone who believes she will only become a complete woman once she has the female body, while Alice is already physically a woman but decides to resort to dancing as a means to emphasize her identity. The story of these two women highlights the hardships of transgender individuals and shows that there is still a huge hurdle in Korean society. Compared to the light and cheerful disposition of 3xFTM, Edhi Alice: REVERSE takes a darker approach. Perhaps this is because the incident of the late Sergeant Byun Heesu left a lasting scar in their hearts. It might be a good idea to read Edhi's book Maybe I'll Become a Delightful Grandma prior to watching the film. (MOON Seok)
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KIM Ilrhan
