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The Space We Hold
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The Space We Hold

Tiffany Hsiung, Chris Kang and Patricia Lee

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The Space We Hold
web experience
The interactive web documentary The Space We Hold is a direct provocation to audiences to bear witness to the testimonies of three former “comfort women” who were among the 200,000 girls and young women kidnapped and forced into military sexual slavery by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. Some 70 years after their imprisonment in so-called “comfort stations,” the three “grandmothers” – Grandma Gil in South Korea, Grandma Cao in China, and Grandma Adela in the Philippines – are now among the world’s oldest living survivors of militarized sexual violence. After decades of living in silence and shame about their past, they courageously agree to share their stories with those who are willing to listen.

Demanding the user’s attention throughout their intimate first-hand accounts, the experience guides the user from a solitary act of witnessing to become part of a collective, networked response to the grandmothers. In a world where rape continues to be used as a weapon of war, The Space We Hold provides a unique window into the challenges of reconciliation and what it means to bear witness to testimonies of sexual violence in a digital age.

Tiffany Hsiung

Co-director / Co-creator

Tiffany Hsiung

Tiffany Hsiung is an award-winning filmmaker based in Toronto. Her approach to storytelling is driven by the relationships she builds with people.

Chris Kang

Co-director / Co-creator

Chris Kang

Chris Kang is a community builder with over 15 years experience working with socially excluded communities and 7 years of designing, implementing, and evaluating award-winning approaches to education and community health.

Patricia Lee

Co-director / Co-creator

Patricia Lee

Patricia Lee creates content across platforms. Prior to forming Cult Leader, Patricia oversaw a slate of award-winning Original TV Convergent Media properties as the Production Executive of Digital Content and Engagement for Corus Entertainment.

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    Peabody - Facebook Futures of Media Awards

    Best Interactive Documentary
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    Webby Awards

    Nominee - Best Visual Design, Function (Mobile Sites & Apps - Features)
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    Canadian Screen Awards

    Winner: Best Original Interactive Production
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    Sheffield Doc/Fest

    World Premiere
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    Future of Story Telling

    Official Selection
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    Yorkton Film Festival

    Official Selection
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    Digital Dozen: Breakthroughs in Storytelling Awards

    Storytelling Award
A co-production between Cult Leader and the National Film Board of Canada, with the support of the Ontario Media Development Corporation

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