Still not giving up Secret story of Japan-Korea movie exchange November 10 20:54

Japan-Korea relations are said to be the "worst after the war."

Its impact is not limited to politics and the economy.

In South Korea, the screening of Japanese movies was postponed and the number of spectators dropped sharply, and the deterioration of relations cast a shadow on the cultural realm.

On the other hand, there are people in both countries who have not given up on the exchange through movies.

(Seoul branch reporter Ryosuke Tokuda)

"Fighting"

Korean written on the poster with felt-tip pen.


It is a letter of encouragement called "fighting".



I wrote the anime movie "Your Name.

Directed by Makoto Shinkai, who is known for his hit works such as.


I gave it to a movie distributor in Seoul, South Korea with the idea of ​​"do your best".

In South Korea, public opinion vehemently opposed the Japanese government's stricter export controls for semiconductor raw materials for South Korea last July.


The boycotts of Japanese products sprang up, and in October the export value of beer from Japan became zero, and the target expanded to clothes, cars, and even Japanese movies.

“I couldn't do anything about it. It was a pity that many people couldn't show Japanese movies,” said Kang Sang-wook, director of the movie distribution company.

Director Kang's film distributor focused on the potential of Japanese anime films early on and began distributing them in 2007.

Director Shinkai's "Your Name," which was distributed three years ago.

』Has mobilized 3.73 million spectators, the largest number of Japanese films screened in South Korea.

In response to this, the company decided to screen the new film "Weathering with You" directed by Shinkai.

We were planning to carry out a large-scale promotion activity for the screening in September last year, but due to the deterioration of bilateral relations, all of them were rejected by our business partners, saying, "I can't get involved with Japanese content right now." Say it.



In the end, "Weathering with You" was forced to postpone the screening for one month, and the audience mobilization was reduced by 80% compared to the previous work.

"The fans will never go away"

Director Kang felt responsible for postponing the screening.


It is said that it was Director Shinkai's "fighting" that saved me at that time.

Director Kang


"I wanted to apologize, but Director Shinkai went to Korea to write it at the time of the screening. I was about to tear. Other Japanese people also understood. Showed me. "

I want to respond to the thoughts of director Shinkai.


Kang asserts that fans of good Japanese movies, especially anime, will not leave Korea.


The company is considering building a theater dedicated to Japanese movies in Seoul so that it can continue to be screened even if Japan-South Korea relations deteriorate.


We want to make it a success as a business and make Japanese filmmakers, including director Shinkai, happy.

"I want to help Japanese films take root in South Korea. I think future generations will be the foundation for solving political problems."

Director Kang puts a lot of effort into words.

Exchange as "comrades"

Steady efforts continue in theaters.

It is a mini theater "Mirim (Mibayashi)" in Incheon (Incheon) near Seoul.


With the cooperation of the Japan Foundation, we have been holding free screenings of Japanese films once a month since February.

The opportunity was an exchange with a mini theater in Yokohama, which began through an acquaintance.


In June of last year, both sides held a screening of Japanese and Korean films.


At this time, Choi Hyun Joon, the representative of "Mirim," received a handmade poster from the Japanese side to introduce recommended Japanese movies.

"It's a hot topic that the industry has shaken!"


Choi still cherishes the introductory text written in Korean, which he is not accustomed to, in the hall.


In addition, I received a message from the Japanese side stating, "Because the relationship between Japan and South Korea is cold, we should interact with each other."

Choi


said, "'Interacting with citizens through movies' is the same as in Japan and Korea. I felt comrades during the exchange. Although there are differences in language and region, I would like to continue to interact. I am involved in culture and art. It is important that we treat with a more open mind and knock on the door of interaction. "

We will continue to screen Japanese films in the future.

"Responsibility" of the film festival

Due to national sentiment in South Korea, exposure to Japanese movies and music has been virtually prohibited by law for half a century since its founding in 1948.


In 1998, then President Kim Dae-Jung lifted the ban, saying, "To further deepen the friendly relationship between Japan and South Korea."

Prior to that, the Busan International Film Festival, one of the largest film festivals in Asia, has supported the exchange between the two countries since 1996.



"I want you to know good Japanese movies," sometimes the staff builds a relationship of trust by drinking alcohol with Japanese directors and actors, and then invites them to film festivals and actively works on works that are still unknown in Japan. By introducing them, we have gradually deepened mutual understanding and friendship.

Last year, there was a boycotts of Japanese products.

While other Korean film festivals have canceled the screening of Japanese films, the Pusan ​​International Film Festival chose "The Horse Thieves of Orjas" (a collaboration between Japan and Kazakhstan) starring Mirai Moriyama as the opening film, and said, "This Asian filmmaker. "Award" was awarded to Director Hirokazu Koreeda.


And the film festival was held in October in the midst of the corona, and I chose the Japanese anime movie "Jose, the Tiger and the Fish" as the final work.

Park Sun-young, a selection committee member, said, "Our sense of responsibility is to introduce culture as culture and movies as movies so that Japanese movies are not involved in political issues. Political tension between the two countries I'd be happy if it was resolved by culture, "he emphasizes the importance of the film festival.

The clue is left

Last year, when there was a boycotts of Japanese products in South Korea, many Koreans said, "I'm worried about the eyes around me and I can't get Japanese products."


The whole society was surrounded by an atmosphere of "I want to keep a distance from Japanese things."



On the other hand, all the Korean filmmakers interviewed this time have stated that "politics is politics and culture is culture."


I was surprised at his unwavering attitude, and found that there was a quarter-century exchange with the Japanese film industry in the background.



Recently, Japanese anime movies "Pokemon" and "Yo-Kai Watch" have been ranked in the top 10 in the popularity ranking, and it has been decided that director Hirokazu Koreeda will appoint a Korean actor to make a movie.


And in Japan, the Korean male idol group "BTS" and the drama "Crash Landing on You" are gaining popularity.

There are many politically difficult issues between Japan and South Korea.


Still, as long as there are people who do not give up on cultural exchange, there is still a clue to mutual understanding.

Seoul Bureau Reporter


Ryosuke Tokuda