Busan:Renowned Korean filmmakers have urged politicians to refrain from politicizing the historical film "The Assassin(s)" amidst controversy over its historical inaccuracies.
According to Yonhap News Agency, about 20 directors and film industry officials, including Chung Ji-young and Lee Myung-se, gathered at a press conference in Busan during the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). They emphasized that audiences, rather than politicians, should be the ones to judge the film.
The filmmakers voiced their concerns about assumptions being made regarding the film's intentions without proper viewing and warned against holding directors, actors, and production companies accountable, as this could impede creative freedom.
The press conference followed an announcement by the Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) that it would proceed with screening "The Assassin(s)" as part of its upcoming festival. The SGIFF organizers stated that the film was chosen through an independent process for its artistic merit and will remain the opening film for the 37th edition.
Earlier in the week, the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) sent an official letter to SGIFF, urging them to withdraw the film from the event. The filmmakers criticized this move, advocating for caution in raising domestic political issues at an international film festival and underscoring that audiences will ultimately determine the film's reception.
"The Assassin(s)," which portrays the 1974 assassination attempt on then South Korean President Park Chung-hee and the subsequent death of the first lady, has faced criticism, primarily from conservative circles, leading to a broader debate over creative freedom. The controversy has resulted in the cancellation of related events at this year's BIFF.