Filmmakers Urge Political Circles to Stop Interfering in "Assassins"

Press conference in Busan criticizes abuse of public powers

Filmmakers have called on political circles to stop pressuring the film "Assassin(s)."

Filmmakers are holding an emergency press conference at Haeundae Event Plaza in Busan on the morning of the 8th to announce a joint position.

Directors Jeong Jiyoung, Lee Myungse, Kim Hongjun and Paik Jaeho, Kim Donghyun, executive director of the Seoul Independent Film Festival, and film critic Jeon Chanil held a press conference at Haeundae Event Plaza in Busan on October 8. They said it is up to audiences to judge the film.

They said political circles are intervening not only with the director, actors, production company and theaters, but also with screenings at overseas film festivals, calling this a serious threat. They called on politicians not to abuse public powers, such as requests for materials for National Assembly audits, for political purposes.

They also criticized the Busan International Film Festival for not issuing an official statement. Directors Lee Myungse and Kim Hongjun said they would bring the issue into public discussion with the festival and other film industry figures after the closing ceremony. Director Paik Jaeho said the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's National Assembly audit should not turn into a forum for a wasteful ideological debate over interpretations of the film.

Participants stressed that their solidarity was not about supporting or opposing a particular film, but about safeguarding freedom of creation and the autonomy of culture and the arts.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.