If You Were Me: Anima Vision 2

This film features six animated shorts produced by the Human Rights Commission of Korea. Like its predecessor, the stories offer perspectives from people who exist outside social norms. It was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 2008 Asia Pacific Screen Awards. 1. "The Third Wish" (AN Dong-hui, RYU Jeong-wu) follows a visually impaired young woman visited by a fairy godmother who grants her three wishes. Unlike a fairytale, the fairy is a grumpy middle-aged woman eager to finish her job. Still, she guides the woman through a bustling marketplace, evoking the charm of "Amelie." But the city is unkind-busy passersby ignore her struggles. With her walking stick, she taps her new shoes together and follows the "yellow brick road" (tactile paving tiles) through the urban maze. 2. "Ajukari" (HONG Deok-pyo) is a street-style cartoon that humorously examines how macho expectations harm men. Circumcision becomes the benchmark for masculinity, leaving those who haven’t undergone it terrified of public baths. 3. "Baby" (LEE Hong-su, LEE Hong-min) highlights the challenges a career woman faces when considering motherhood. Her boss warns, "I’m not saying you can’t take maternity leave, but can you afford a child while working?" The story cleverly weaves in mother-in-law dynamics, a parody of "Tazza: The High Rollers," and absurd moments like an "ambulance bus" collecting multiple patients on its route. 4. "Shine Shine Shining" (KWON Mi-jeong) resembles a soft watercolor children’s book. Eun-jin, a bright and popular grade-schooler, hides her curly hair-inherited from her Filipino mother-in braids to keep her secret safe. 5. "Merry Golasmas" is a charming claymation short about physical stereotypes. In a Santa Claus audition, real Santas-a Black man, an Asian man, a woman, and one in a wheelchair-lose to a fake, pot-bellied Caucasian Santa. 6. "Lies" tackles homosexuality through pastel-like sketches with art deco touches. A gay man is pressured into marrying a woman, while others pretend to have girlfriends or endure "therapy" to become straight. The animation’s striking digital cut-out style underscores its emotional weight.