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Relations between Japan and Korea are said to be “the worst after the war.” The impact is not limited to politics and economics. In South Korea, the showing of Japanese films was postponed and the number of viewers was drastically reduced, and the deterioration of relations overshadowed the cultural realm. On the other hand, there are people in both countries who have not given up on interaction through cinema. (Reporter from Seoul Branch Ryosuke Tokuda)
“Fighting”
It is a character of encouragement called “fight”.
I wrote the anime movie “Your Name Is. Directed by Makoto Shinkai, who is known for his successful works as.
I gave it to a movie distribution company in Seoul, South Korea, with the idea of ”do your best.”
In South Korea, public opposition rebelled against the Japanese government’s strict export control of semiconductor raw materials to South Korea last July.
Due to the no-purchase movement for Japanese products, the export value of beer from Japan became zero in October, and the target has expanded to Japanese clothing, cars and even movies.
“I couldn’t do anything about it. It was a shame that a lot of people couldn’t show Japanese films,” said Kang Sang-wook, director of the film distribution company.
Director Kang’s film distribution company began distributing in 2007, paying attention to the potential of Japanese animated films from an early stage. Director Shinkai, who distributed three years ago, said, “What’s your name?』, Which mobilized 3.73 million viewers, the largest number of Japanese films screened in Korea.
In the end, the screening of “Kai no Ko” was forced to be postponed for a month, and audience mobilization was reduced by 80% compared to the previous work.
“The fans will never leave”
Director Kang felt responsible for postponing the screening.
It is said that it was Director Shinkai’s “struggle” 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 ready to cry. Other Japanese officials also showed their understanding. Medium “
I want to respond to director Shinkai’s thoughts.
Kang claims that fans of good Japanese movies, especially anime, will not leave Korea.
The company is considering building a theater dedicated to Japanese films in Seoul so that it can continue to be shown even if relations between Japan and Korea deteriorate.
We want to make it a success as a business and make Japanese filmmakers like director Shinkai happy.
“I want to help Japanese films take root in Korea. I believe that future generations will be the basis for solving political problems.”
Director Kang puts a lot of effort into words.
Exchange as “companies”
Constant efforts continue in theaters.
It is a mini theater “Mirim (Mibayashi)” in Incheon (Incheon) near Seoul.
With the cooperation of the Japan International Exchange Fund, we have been holding a free screening of Japanese films once a month since February.
The opportunity was an exchange with a mini theater in Yokohama, which started through an acquaintance.
In June last year, both sides held a screening of Japanese and Korean films.
At this time, Choi Hyun-jun (Cho Hyun-jun), the representative of “Mirim”, received a handmade poster from the Japanese side featuring recommended Japanese movies.
“It’s a hot topic the industry has shaken up!”
Choi still appreciates the introductory text written in the unknown Korean language in the hallway.
In addition, I received a message from the Japanese side saying, “Because the relationship between Japan and South Korea is cold, we should exchange.”
Choi’s representative
“‘Interacting with citizens through movies’ is the same as in Japan and South Korea. I felt mutual love during the exchange. Although there are differences in language and region, I would like to continue interacting. We are involved in the culture and art. It is important to deal with a more open mind and knock on the door of exchange. “
We will continue to screen Japanese films in the future.
Film festival “Responsibility”
Due to national sentiment in South Korea, exposure to Japanese films and music has been practically prohibited by law for half a century since its founding in 1948.
In 1998, then-President Kim Dae-jun lifted the ban, saying: “To further deepen the friendly relationship between Japan and South Korea.”
“I want them to know good Japanese movies”, sometimes the staff build a trusting relationship, like having a drink with Japanese directors and actors, and then inviting them to film festivals and actively working on works that are still unknown in Japan. By introducing them, we have gradually deepened mutual understanding and friendship.
Last year, there was a move to buy Japanese products. While other Korean film festivals canceled the screening of Japanese films, the Pusan International Film Festival chose “The White Horse of Orjas” (a collaboration between Japan and Kazakhstan) starring Miki Moriyama as its opening work, and said : “This Asian filmmaker The” award “was awarded to director Hirokazu Koreeda.
And the film festival was held in October amid the wreck of the crown, and I chose the Japanese anime film “Joseph, tiger and fish” as the final work.
Selection committee member Park Sung-young said: “Our sense of responsibility is to introduce culture as culture and movies as movies so that Japanese films do not get involved in political issues. Political tension between the two countries I would be glad if culture would solve it ”, emphasizes the importance of the film festival.
The track remains
The whole society was surrounded by an atmosphere of “I want to stay away from Japanese things.”
On the other hand, all Korean filmmakers interviewed this time have stated that “politics is politics and culture is culture.”
I was surprised by his unwavering attitude and discovered that there was a quarter-century exchange with the Japanese film industry in the background.
In South Korea, the Japanese anime films “Pocket Monster” and “Youkai Watch” have recently been ranked in the top 10 in popularity rankings, and it was decided that director Hirokazu Koreeda will appoint a Korean actor to make the film.
And in Japan, Korean male idol group “BTS” and drama “Ai no Crash Land” are gaining popularity.
There are many politically difficult problems between Japan and South Korea.
Still, as long as there are people who don’t give up on cultural exchange, there is still a clue to mutual understanding.
Seoul bureau reporter
Ryosuke Tokuda
