Finding Your Voice Through Film: An Interview with Suji Son

Through a quiet, observational style, Unsent Letter follows Director and Writer Suji Son as she revisits moments of transition, isolation, and emotional growth in her new environment. The film focuses on the subtleties of Suji’s everyday life—what it means to adapt, to miss home, and to slowly understand oneself in a new context.

At the centre of the story is Suji’s relationship with her mother. The film becomes a medium through which Suji articulates emotions she has withheld because of a sense of guilt. In interviewing her Mum, Suji opens a space for connection—not only with her mother, but also with audiences who may find familiarity in the complexities of family, migration, and self-expression.

Day One sat down with Suji to ask more about her heartfelt documentary project Unsent Letter, winner of the Day One Challenge 2025 Round One Judges Choice Award. We learn more about her motivations, the challenges of making a documentary and being open as an introvert.

Day One: What made you create this documentary?

Suji Son: It actually started as a school assignment for Media Studies—we had to make a short documentary. There were two options: either about inspirational people or about whakapapa. I went with whakapapa, mostly because I thought it would be hard to interview other people. Plus, I really wanted to share my own story in New Zealand, especially with my mom.

I'm quite shy and introverted, so I usually keep my thoughts and feelings to myself—even around family. That’s why I saw this as a chance to show my true self in a more honest, indirect way. And honestly, I think it worked out really well.

“Planning was actually part of the assessment, and I ended up writing 47 pages without even realising it—I was just super into it. The deeper I went, the more I discovered about myself”.

Day One: What were the challenges you faced while making your documentary?

Suji Son: To be honest, I really enjoyed the whole process. Planning was actually part of the assessment, and I ended up writing 47 pages without even realising it—I was just super into it. The deeper I went, the more I discovered about myself. I had to face certain feelings and try to define them. One moment that really stood out was when I wrote down the word “guilt.” I wasn’t even sure it was the right word, and it felt a bit awkward at first. But after a while, it became like I was watching myself from the outside, writing everything down as if I were someone else.

The hardest part, though, was definitely the interview with my mom. I’d been hiding that feeling of guilt from her for over a year, and I was terrified to talk about it. I kept wanting to delay the interview. When the moment finally came, I was so nervous and kind of rambled a bit. I barely paid attention to her first answer because I was too busy working up the courage to ask the next question. But I did it. And now, I’m just really grateful I had that conversation with her. Even though it still feels a bit awkward to talk about, I feel more connected to her than ever.

“I managed to share my story without actually saying anything in person. That felt kind of magical.”

Watch Unsent Letter and show your support in the comments.

Day One: What was your audience's response after showing them your film?

Suji Son: The first person I showed it to was a close friend who helped me a lot during the project. She said it was really cool, which gave me the confidence to show it to more people—my teacher, other friends, and anyone I cared about. My mom was the last one I showed it to because I was nervous she’d think it was too sentimental.

You know how sometimes you have to exaggerate a little to make the audience feel something? I definitely used some mise en scène to make myself look a bit more miserable than I wanted my mom to think I was. I was struggling, but I didn’t want her to think I was that miserable. Thankfully, she liked it. She even cried after watching it and said it was really well made.

What surprised me the most was that I managed to share my feelings and story without actually saying anything in person. That felt kind of magical. Usually, I struggle to express myself, but through this documentary, people could understand me better—maybe even more deeply than if I’d tried to explain with words. I think that’s the power of film. Sometimes it says things even better than we can ourselves.

“I realised that filmmaking is what I truly love and can commit myself to. I know it’s not going to be easy, but I just want to be part of making films—any part, really”.

Day One: Are you pursuing a film career in the future?

Suji Son: Yes, I’m planning to apply to a university in Ireland this year to study film. I first dreamed of becoming a filmmaker about three years ago, but a teacher told me I should aim for a more stable job. That made me give up for a while. I also doubted myself—was I really passionate enough?

I’ve always loved watching films and TV series, but I wasn’t obsessed or anything. So, two years ago, I switched dreams and decided I wanted to be an animator instead. I’ve always wanted to tell my own stories, and since I was better at drawing than writing, animation felt like a good fit. It still felt connected to filmmaking because of the storytelling and visual elements.

But last year, when I made this documentary, something clicked. I realised that filmmaking is what I truly love and can commit myself to. I know it’s not going to be easy, but I just want to be part of making films—any part, really. Even just carrying equipment on set sounds exciting to me. And maybe I haven’t watched every great movie yet, but I think just feeling that spark is enough of a reason to go for it.

Day One: Had you ever created films before?

Suji Son: I’d say this documentary is my first real one. I’ve made a bunch of creative videos for school projects, though. Because of my personality, I usually end up taking the lead in team assignments, especially when it comes to planning and editing. That’s probably how I got comfortable using editing software.

The first video I ever made by myself is kind of like a music video—it’s on YouTube, actually. I used footage from my last year in high school in Korea. No one asked me to make it—I just stayed up all night because I got emotional and wanted to make something to remember my friends. It’s not high quality or anything, but I still love it.

“...that’s the power of film. Sometimes it says things even better than we can ourselves”.

Suji Son has won a Nikon Z30 and camera kit courtesy of Nikon NZ, as well as some exclusive Day One merch, a $200 Prezzy card and a filmmaker mentorship session. Unsent Letter will also be in the running for awards in our end of year Awards Ceremony.

Day One Challenge Round Two submissions are now open. Round Two Submission Date: Monday 28 July at midday.

All experience levels up to age 29 are invited to submit. Give filmmaking a go. Head to www.dofilm.co.nz/challenge/ for more information.