"Only the opening film's story…" Busan International Film Festival draws a line on questions about "The Assassins" [31st BIFF]

*This content was translated by AI.

At the press conference for the opening film of the 31st Busan International Film Festival, questions arose regarding the controversy surrounding the film "The Assassins" and "freedom of expression," but Director Kim Jong-kwan did not make a separate statement.

The press conference for the opening film of the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), "Day and Night Belong to Each Other," was held at the Medium Theater of the Cinema Hall in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the 6th. Attendees included Director Kim Jong-kwan, actors Kim Min-ha, Joo Jong-hyuk, Han Sun-hwa, Jang Ryeol, Shim Eun-kyung, Jeon So-young, and Kim Dong-hwi, as well as programmer Jung Ji-hye.

"Day and Night Belong to Each Other" is a cheerful and charming film that captures the day and night conversations of people who stayed at a cafe during the passage of a single season. It is the new work by Director Kim Jong-kwan, who directed "The Worst Day" (2016), "The Table" (2016), and "Josee" (2020).

At the press conference that day, questions were raised regarding the film "The Assassins," which has recently been engulfed in political controversy. The questioner asked Director Kim Jong-kwan, a filmmaker who directed the opening film of the Busan International Film Festival, which is Han Guk-eul (CEO), about his thoughts on the controversy surrounding "freedom of expression."

In particular, attention was drawn to the fact that actor Shim Eun-kyung, who made a special appearance in "The Assassins," was also present at the venue.

However, Director Kim Jong-kwan did not pick up the microphone for the question in question. Instead, programmer Jung Ji-hye limited her response, stating, "You have asked questions about 'The Assassins' and Korean cinema in general, but since this is a press conference for the opening film, we ask for your understanding. Today is a place to talk about the opening film." She further explained that the Busan International Film Festival side had previously made a statement regarding "The Assassins."

"The Assassins" is a film that traces the suspicions and masterminds behind the 1974 assassination attempt on Lady Yoo Young-soo. Since its release on the 23rd of last month, controversy has continued as political circles and related organizations have raised criticism of historical distortion over some settings in the film.

In the aftermath of the controversy, all official events related to "The Assassins" scheduled at the Busan International Film Festival were canceled.

Initially, Director Heo Jin-ho and actors Yoo Hae-jin, Park Hae-il, and Lee Min-ho were scheduled to attend the outdoor stage greeting for "The Assassins." The same day's scheduled event, "Actors House: Lee Min-ho," was also canceled earlier, resulting in the cancellation of all official Busan International Film Festival schedules related to the film.

The Busan International Film Festival side announced on its official SNS on the 2nd, "We inform you that the scheduled attendance at the opening ceremony and outdoor stage greeting for the 31st Busan International Film Festival have been canceled at the request of the production company of 'The Assassins.'"

It added, "The Busan International Film Festival respects the production company's decision, which was made in consideration of the safety of audiences and guests and the smooth conduct of the event," and "We ask for your understanding from the audiences who have been looking forward to the related schedules."

Film industry organizations such as the Korean Federation of Film Producers, the Korean Film Producers Guild (PGK), and the Directors' Guild of Korea (DGK) have recently issued consecutive statements expressing concern that while free criticism and evaluation of works should be respected, the controversy must not lead to attacks on individual creators such as directors, actors, and staff, or the spread of unverified information.

In particular, the DGK has stated that support and solidarity are needed so that creators can make works again in a free and safe environment.

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*This content was translated by AI.