BIFF jury chief says 'creation is only creation' amid Korean film controversy

Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) jury chief Zhang Yimou has stated that films should be seen as pure creations, amidst controversy over historical inaccuracies in a Korean film, "The Assassin(s)." The Chinese director emphasized that debates surrounding such issues are what make cinema intriguing. However, Zhang acknowledged that defining the relationship between creative freedom and historical facts is not a simple matter. He noted that filmmakers often aim to depict life beyond mere facts and truths.

Zhang expressed his respect for creators and highlighted the power of films to transport audiences to different times and places. He emphasized that the audience's thoughts and feelings after watching a film are subjective and can vary widely. Zhang believed that this diversity is what gives films their appeal.

The controversy surrounding "The Assassin(s)" involved a historical film dealing with the 1974 assassination attempt on South Korean President Park Chung-hee. The film faced criticism, particularly from conservatives. Despite some lead actors deciding to skip the festival and a police-protection order for one of the actors due to threats, Zhang and fellow jury member July Jung supported the idea of films as creative expressions.

Jung emphasized the responsibility of filmmakers in creating fictional worlds and the anticipation of diverse audience responses in shaping their work.