Watch Left by the Ship

Left by the Ship is a 2010 documentary directed by Emma Rossi Landi and Alberto Vendemmiati, that explores the issue of children who are abandoned by their birth parents in foreign countries. The film follows the lives of four teenagers, all of them children of US servicemen and Korean women, who live in South Korea, and have been left behind by their fathers, who returned to the US after their military service.

The documentary is a deeply human story that delves into the complicated themes of identity, belonging, and the meaning of family. The filmmakers provide a sensitive and empathetic portrayal of the four young people, who have grown up with a constant sense of loss and longing for their absent fathers. They also highlight the complex social and cultural factors that have contributed to the phenomenon of "GI babies", as the children of US military personnel are known in South Korea.

The film begins with a brief history of the presence of American troops in South Korea since the Korean War, and the growth of the phenomenon of GI babies. It then introduces the four main characters: Kelsie, Hung, Nina, and Susan. All of them have very different personalities and backgrounds, but they share a common experience of being left behind by their fathers. The film delves into their individual stories, their struggles with their identity, and their search for a sense of belonging.

Kelsie is a bubbly and outgoing teenager who dreams of becoming an actress. She has a close relationship with her Korean mother, but yearns to reconnect with her estranged father. She struggles with feelings of abandonment and resentment, but also with a deep emotional attachment to the US and American culture.

Hung is a reserved and introspective young man who is studying to become a chef. He has a strained relationship with his Korean mother, who abandoned him when he was a child. He feels a strong connection to his American heritage, but is deeply conflicted about his identity and his relationship with his absent father.

Nina is a headstrong and confident teenager who aspires to become a K-pop star. She has a complicated relationship with her father, who left her mother when she was pregnant. She feels torn between her Korean and American identities, and struggles to reconcile her desire for a relationship with her father with the pain he has caused her and her family.

Susan is a shy and introverted teenager who dreams of becoming a teacher. She has a strained relationship with her Korean mother, who is emotionally distant and disapproving of her dreams. She feels a strong connection to her father, but has never met him and struggles with feelings of rejection and abandonment.

The filmmakers provide a nuanced and sensitive insight into the lives of these four young people, and the challenges they face as they try to forge their identities and find a sense of belonging. They also explore the broader social and cultural issues that affect children of American servicemen in South Korea, such as the stigma and discrimination they face, and the lack of legal protections for their rights.

Overall, Left by the Ship is a thought-provoking and emotionally powerful documentary that sheds light on a little-known aspect of the US military presence in South Korea. The film offers a deeply human exploration of a complex issue, and provides a poignant portrayal of the lives of the four young people at the center of its story.