A political controversy surrounding the South Korean box-office hit The Assassin(s) has prompted several of the country’s leading film organisations to speak out in defence of the movie’s cast and crew.
The latest response came from the Directors Guild of Korea (DGK), which issued a statement urging the public to distinguish criticism of a film from personal attacks on the people who made it.
The guild said the debate surrounding the film had moved beyond discussions of its content and was increasingly affecting the daily lives and livelihoods of those involved in the production.
A film at the center of a political debate
Directed by Hur Jin-ho, The Assassin(s) centers on the 1974 shooting that resulted in the death of former South Korean first lady Yuk Young-soo, wife of then-President Park Chung-hee.
According to reports, conservative politicians and critics have accused the film of distorting history.
One of the main points of contention is the movie’s treatment of the investigation into the assassination attempt.
While the official inquiry concluded that Mun Se-gwang acted under instructions from pro-North Korean groups, critics argue that the film’s open-ended approach invites alternative interpretations about who may have been responsible.
The controversy has expanded beyond reviews and commentary. Reports indicate that the film has become the subject of a police complaint and political discussions within South Korea’s National Assembly.
Industry groups raise concerns
The Producers Guild of Korea, Cinematographers Guild of Korea, and now the Directors Guild of Korea have all released statements expressing concern over what they describe as escalating attacks against filmmakers.
The groups said criticism of a film is a normal part of public discourse, but argued that exposing personal information, making threats, or targeting creators outside the scope of the work itself crosses a line.
The DGK added that creators should be able to face criticism of their work without having their personal lives or future careers threatened.
Safety concerns emerge
The dispute has also led to security concerns for people involved in the production.
According to The Korea Times, a conservative activist group announced plans for protests outside the home of lead actor Yoo Hae-jin.
Reports also stated that scheduled appearances by cast and crew members at the upcoming Busan International Film Festival were cancelled because of safety concerns.
Controversy fails to slow box office success
Despite the backlash, the film continues to perform strongly at the South Korean box office.
Variety reported that The Assassin(s) surpassed one million admissions within four days of release and remained the top film in the country during the October 2-4 weekend.
As of the latest reported figures, the film had recorded more than 2.23 million admissions.
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