[Sportschosun, Lee Ga-eun] The Producers Guild of Korea (PGK) issued an official statement on the controversy over historical distortion surrounding the film "Assassin(s)," calling for people to "stop attacking film professionals and talk about the film."
On the 2nd, the Producers Guild of Korea said, "Debate surrounding the film <Assassin(s)> has continued recently. Just as historical events can be interpreted in various ways, films based on historical events can also be interpreted in various ways and should naturally be evaluated accordingly." It added, "However, the current debate is spreading beyond criticism of the work into threats against the production company, director, cast, staff and others involved in making the film, and the Producers Guild of Korea expresses serious concern over this."
The PGK continued, "The Producers Guild of Korea does not support either side in the debate surrounding <Assassin(s)>, nor do we intend to ask audiences to do so. Freedom of creation and expression is a precious value that we have all fought for over many years, and criticism must also be respected as part of freedom of expression." It added, however, "Disclosing an individual's personal information and family relationships because that person participated in the work, or pressuring the normal activities of related individuals, companies or organizations, goes beyond the bounds of legitimate criticism and can never be justified."
Finally, it urged, "1. Please stop defaming and threatening individual participants in the film, discussing their private lives, and threatening their personal safety or livelihoods. 2. Please stop spreading unverified information."
Meanwhile, "Assassin(s)" follows the story of an investigation into the suspicions surrounding, and those behind, the shooting of the first lady that shocked South Korea on August 15, 1974. Released on the 23rd, it surpassed 1 million moviegoers in just four days and remained at the top of the box office during the Chuseok holiday. However, controversy over historical distortion erupted as the film reimagined the shooting of First Lady Yuk Young-soo through cinematic imagination. The production team stated, "Based on the historical event that occurred in 1974, this narrative film re-creates the event by adding cinematic imagination to various records written in connection with it at the time." It also said the film was not made for political purposes, but the fallout continues.
◆ Full statement from the Producers Guild of Korea
Debate surrounding the film <Assassin(s)> has continued recently. Just as historical events can be interpreted in various ways, films based on historical events can also be interpreted in various ways and should naturally be evaluated accordingly. The fact that empathy and criticism of a film can unfold as healthy debate is part of the value of film's existence as an art form.
However, the current debate is spreading beyond criticism of the work into threats against the production company, director, cast, staff and others involved in making the film, and the Producers Guild of Korea expresses serious concern over this.
The Producers Guild of Korea does not support either side in the debate surrounding <Assassin(s)>, nor does it intend to ask audiences to do so. Freedom of creation and expression is a precious value that we have all fought for over many years, and criticism must also be respected as part of freedom of expression.
However, disclosing an individual's personal information and family relationships because that person participated in the work, or pressuring the normal activities of related individuals, companies or organizations, goes beyond the bounds of legitimate criticism and can never be justified.
We sincerely hope that the debate and discussion over the historical interpretations prompted by <Assassin(s)> will take place in a healthy and mature manner.
Accordingly, the PGK makes the following requests.
1. Please stop defaming and threatening individual participants in the film, discussing their private lives, and threatening their personal safety or livelihoods.
2. Please stop spreading unverified information.
Evaluating a film is clearly the audience's prerogative. However, that evaluation must not become an attack that threatens creators or chills film production and screenings.
The Producers Guild of Korea opposes any act that threatens film professionals' freedom of expression or safety, and will stand with them in doing so.
joyjoy90@sportschosun.com
This article has been translated by GripLabs Mingo AI.
