[Breaking News] Singapore Film Festival Refuses to Withdraw Opening Film 'The Assassin(s)'… "A Single Creative Work"

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• People Power Party Calls for Withdrawal of 'The Assassin(s)' as Opening Film… SGIFF Responds: "Cinematic Imagination, A Single Creative Work"

Amid heated political controversy surrounding the film 'The Assassin(s)', members of the People Power Party urged the Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) to withdraw the film from its opening slot. However, the festival announced that it will proceed with the screening as scheduled.

On the 7th, the 37th Singapore International Film Festival released an official statement announcing its decision not to withdraw 'The Assassin(s)' from the opening slot.

The festival stated, "The Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) is aware of the series of discussions surrounding 'The Assassin(s),' the opening film of the 37th edition. SGIFF respects the creative vision of the production team behind 'The Assassin(s),' and the work will be screened as the opening film of the 37th Singapore International Film Festival without change."

It further explained, "This work was selected through SGIFF's independent programming process based on its artistic achievement and contribution to contemporary Asian cinema. The production team has described the work as a product of cinematic imagination that combines fictional characters and situations with historical events. They have also clarified that it was not produced to draw historical conclusions, distort facts, or serve any political purpose." Adding, "SGIFF likewise intends to present this work as a single creative piece within this context."

The festival also noted, "'The Assassin(s)' had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. According to data from the Korea Creative Content Agency, the film has attracted approximately 2.5 million viewers since its release in South Korea and recorded a seat occupancy rate of approximately 47% during the Chuseok holiday period." It added, "SGIFF's role is to provide a platform for meaningful films from Singapore, Asia, and around the world, and to help audiences experience diverse stories and perspectives. SGIFF looks forward to welcoming audiences to the 37th edition and presenting a colorful and rich array of films and experiences."

Previously, the People Power Party sent a letter to SGIFF in the names of all 109 of its National Assembly members, requesting the withdrawal of 'The Assassin(s)' from the opening slot. In the letter, the People Power Party expressed regret over SGIFF's selection of 'The Assassin(s)' as the opening film and urged an immediate reconsideration of that decision. The party claimed, "Selecting the opening film to kick off a festival requires even more careful judgment and responsibility. 'The Assassin(s)' distorts history in a way that greatly runs counter to the sentiments of the South Korean public by using a real event as its subject matter, raising the possibility of intervention by institutional investors in power at the time, and leaving room for interpretation that Park Jeong-hui (President), the victim's spouse, may have been involved in the incident." However, the Singapore film festival did not accept this.

Meanwhile, SGIFF, which is holding its 37th edition this year, opens on the 21st.

Despite the controversy, 'The Assassin(s)' continues to top the box office.

Below is the full text of the Singapore Film Festival's statement

The Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) is aware of the series of discussions surrounding <The Assassin(s) >, the opening film of the 37th edition.

SGIFF respects the creative vision of the production team behind <The Assassin(s)>, and the work will be screened as the opening film of the 37th Singapore International Film Festival without change.

This work was selected through SGIFF's independent programming process based on its artistic achievement and contribution to contemporary Asian cinema.

The production team has described the work as a product of cinematic imagination that combines fictional characters and situations with historical events. They have also clarified that it was not produced to draw historical conclusions, distort facts, or serve any political purpose. SGIFF likewise intends to present this work as a single creative piece within this context.

<The Assassin(s) > had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. According to data from the Korea Creative Content Agency, the film has attracted approximately 2.5 million viewers since its release in South Korea and recorded a seat occupancy rate of approximately 47% during the Chuseok holiday period.

SGIFF's role is to provide a platform for meaningful films from Singapore, Asia, and around the world, and to help audiences experience diverse stories and perspectives.

SGIFF looks forward to welcoming audiences to the 37th edition and presenting a colorful and rich array of films and experiences

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original