Director‘s Statement:
In grappling with self-identity, minorities within a society often rely on external perspectives. When confronted with unprecedented negative judgments explicitly tied to their ethnicity—evaluations that weaponize group identity—the resulting damage to the individual becomes a lasting scar. In such moments, withdrawal becomes inevitable. One may even conjure an ‘imaginary friend' capable of unconditional understanding and support, seeking through this construct the self-affirmation needed to justify their existence and place within society.
Through his role as a street photographer, the protagonist transcends mere societal observation. His lens offers voyeuristic access to his private perspective on society while penetrating deeper into his psyche. The film extensively draws from my personal life experiences, including reflections on ethnic rituals and existential questioning of individual identity within society—themes central to my frequent contemplation.