ID :
46988
Mon, 02/23/2009 - 08:25
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/46988
The shortlink copeid
Indie films show strength, but road remains rocky, filmmakers say
SEOUL, Feb. 23 (Yonhap) -- It wasn't the reverse-aging Benjamin, or manipulating stock dealers, but an old, rickety ox that lured South Korean audiences to theaters over the weekend.
South Korea's independent film "Old Partner (Warnangsori)" topped the country's
blockbuster-dominated box office last weekend, setting yet another record and
providing renewed hope for the domestic indie film industry and emerging
directors on shoestring budgets.
The low-budget documentary beat out Hollywood's "The Curious Case of Benjamin
Button" by nearly 70,000 audiences in 250 theaters nationwide, the Korean Film
Council (KOFIC) said, the first time an independent film took No. 1 in ticket
sales.
Made with just 200 million won (US$132,700), the movie has already raked in over
1.8 billion won in net profit, according to its distributor, Indie Story.
"This is a very exciting time not just for us, but for everyone in the film
industry," Indie Story said in a press release. "We have realized once again that
audiences are no longer drawn to big name directors or actors, but to the overall
quality of the films."
With "Old Partner" taking the lead, other acclaimed indie films, including
"Daytime Drinking (Natsul)" and "Oishi man," are drawing favorable reaction from
domestic moviegoers. Several more, including "Breathless (Ddongpari)," which
received the top prize at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, are waiting
to be released shortly.
"The success of these films shows that indie films or documentaries can be as fun
as any commercial movie," said Koh Young-jae, chairman of the Association of
Korea Independent Film and Video and the producer of "Old Partner." "They don't
necessarily have to deal with political or social issues. They can be as personal
and as light (as commercial movies)."
But prospects aren't all rosy, and government-led efforts are essential to keep
up the phenomenon, filmmakers say.
The state-run KOFIC announced last week it is scrapping a 500-million-won support
program for indie movies this year, triggering criticism from members of the
industry. "Old Partner" received 40 million won from the program last year.
While the council explained the money will instead go to building more indie
movie theaters nationwide, filmmakers called the move "inept."
"Increasing the number of cinemas won't do any good when we can't afford to make
the movies to begin with," said director Kim Jin-hwang in a press conference last
week. "What are these theaters going to screen when there are not enough movies
to go round?"
Director Lee Chung-ryul of "Old Partner" said the success of his movie was a
"meager beginning" for the industry.
"I was the last beneficiary of the government support," he told a recent
television interview. "Korea still has a very weak system in linking audiences to
independent movies. People don't know how and where they can go and see these
films even if they want to."
Indie films rarely gain a spot at commercial movie-dominated multiplex chains,
and there are only 25 theaters nationwide that specialize in them. "Old Partner"
opened quietly at just seven cinemas last month before spreading to nearly 200
theaters mainly by word of mouth promotions.
"I am grateful for the film's ongoing success, but the number of audiences
doesn't really have that much meaning," Lee added. "There is a need to stabilize
the industry so that directors can continue to make movies on various issues."
"People think we won a lottery, but this isn't about luck," said "Old Partner"
producer Koh. "I hope the film will become an opportunity to open a better future
for all independent films."
The winner of the 2008 Pusan International Film Festival, "Old Partner" was the
first Korean documentary to compete at the Sundance Film Festival and to draw an
audience of over one million at home.
Movie critics in and out of the country praised the film as "delightful" for its
humorous yet poetic depiction of a longstanding companionship between an elderly
farming couple and their faithful ox.
hayney@yna.co.kr
(END)
South Korea's independent film "Old Partner (Warnangsori)" topped the country's
blockbuster-dominated box office last weekend, setting yet another record and
providing renewed hope for the domestic indie film industry and emerging
directors on shoestring budgets.
The low-budget documentary beat out Hollywood's "The Curious Case of Benjamin
Button" by nearly 70,000 audiences in 250 theaters nationwide, the Korean Film
Council (KOFIC) said, the first time an independent film took No. 1 in ticket
sales.
Made with just 200 million won (US$132,700), the movie has already raked in over
1.8 billion won in net profit, according to its distributor, Indie Story.
"This is a very exciting time not just for us, but for everyone in the film
industry," Indie Story said in a press release. "We have realized once again that
audiences are no longer drawn to big name directors or actors, but to the overall
quality of the films."
With "Old Partner" taking the lead, other acclaimed indie films, including
"Daytime Drinking (Natsul)" and "Oishi man," are drawing favorable reaction from
domestic moviegoers. Several more, including "Breathless (Ddongpari)," which
received the top prize at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, are waiting
to be released shortly.
"The success of these films shows that indie films or documentaries can be as fun
as any commercial movie," said Koh Young-jae, chairman of the Association of
Korea Independent Film and Video and the producer of "Old Partner." "They don't
necessarily have to deal with political or social issues. They can be as personal
and as light (as commercial movies)."
But prospects aren't all rosy, and government-led efforts are essential to keep
up the phenomenon, filmmakers say.
The state-run KOFIC announced last week it is scrapping a 500-million-won support
program for indie movies this year, triggering criticism from members of the
industry. "Old Partner" received 40 million won from the program last year.
While the council explained the money will instead go to building more indie
movie theaters nationwide, filmmakers called the move "inept."
"Increasing the number of cinemas won't do any good when we can't afford to make
the movies to begin with," said director Kim Jin-hwang in a press conference last
week. "What are these theaters going to screen when there are not enough movies
to go round?"
Director Lee Chung-ryul of "Old Partner" said the success of his movie was a
"meager beginning" for the industry.
"I was the last beneficiary of the government support," he told a recent
television interview. "Korea still has a very weak system in linking audiences to
independent movies. People don't know how and where they can go and see these
films even if they want to."
Indie films rarely gain a spot at commercial movie-dominated multiplex chains,
and there are only 25 theaters nationwide that specialize in them. "Old Partner"
opened quietly at just seven cinemas last month before spreading to nearly 200
theaters mainly by word of mouth promotions.
"I am grateful for the film's ongoing success, but the number of audiences
doesn't really have that much meaning," Lee added. "There is a need to stabilize
the industry so that directors can continue to make movies on various issues."
"People think we won a lottery, but this isn't about luck," said "Old Partner"
producer Koh. "I hope the film will become an opportunity to open a better future
for all independent films."
The winner of the 2008 Pusan International Film Festival, "Old Partner" was the
first Korean documentary to compete at the Sundance Film Festival and to draw an
audience of over one million at home.
Movie critics in and out of the country praised the film as "delightful" for its
humorous yet poetic depiction of a longstanding companionship between an elderly
farming couple and their faithful ox.
hayney@yna.co.kr
(END)
