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Filmmakers Lukewarm to Planned Subsidy

By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter

Korea's film industry responded apathetically to the government's proposed measures to compensate it for reducing the screen quota and aimed instead at reversing the government's decision

"We believe that the film industry is a cultural sector that cannot be easily boosted just by giving it money", director 'Lee Eun' said. "It's obvious that the reduction in the screen quota will weaken the industry and damage its diversity as local films will become more commercialized and monopolized to compete with Hollywood films", he added.

Although the government yesterday announced that it will provide 400 billion won to the industry and build 100 more art house theaters in the next five years, the plan is not soothing the resentment of filmmakers. They believe the screen quota system at the current level of 146 days is the only way to protect local films.

"We will take every possible measure to stop the government from enacting the new law. And if needed, we will push politicians to legislate a higher law above the new law and fight the government with an international law as well", Lee said.

The current screen quota system requires that Korean theaters show home-made movies 146 days out of the year but the government Thursday announced it will halve the quota to facilitate free trade negotiations with the United States.

Related civic organizations and representatives from the film industry plan to hold a series of demonstrations beginning Feb. 1 after devising specific plans for their collective actions in more discussion sessions. A big rally is scheduled for Feb. 8.

The industry is also arguing against the government's plan to take 5 percent of the box office revenues to set up an approximate 200 billion won fund for the film industry.

"It is a very authoritarian idea to channel theatergoers' money to the fund", a theater official told Yonhap News Agency.

Amid the concern about the possible damage caused by the quota reduction, many people also argue that it will not endanger the current prosperous local film industry but could brighten the future of the industry if necessary steps are taken.

"I don't think the reduction will immediately cause a catastrophe in the film industry as local films are now so popular here", said Yoo In-taek, president of film production company Kihweck Shidae.

"Now it's more psychological difficulties that people have to cope with. But the most important thing is that we come up with a systematic solution to the reduction", he said.

He suggested that having theaters designed only for local movies can prevent Hollywood films from dominating local theaters, and introducing a new quota system to protect low-budget local movies helps maintain cultural diversity in theaters.

"When you go to a multiplex theater, blockbusters usually occupy most of the screens there, which is actually damaging the diversity of movies", Yoo said.

"While trying hard to maintain the screen quota system, we haven't been fully supported by the government. Now we need utilitarian wisdom", Yoo said, suggesting that the film industry can get financial support in exchange for the reduction in the quota.

Others also pointed out that if there is an irresistible trend to reduce the screen quota, it is time to prepare for the changes.

"If the reduction leads the industry back to the 1990s when the film industry was in dire straits, there won't be any way to go back to the current screen quota system", said Choi Bong-hyun, a research fellow at Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade. "So if the current screen quota is reduced, we should try to find ways, such as supportive policies and investment in education, to give the industry a competitive edge over Hollywood films".

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