{
  "id": 12558234,
  "title": "BIFF jury advocates creative freedom amid 'The Assassin(s)' controversy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/biff-jury-advocates-creative-freedom-amid-the-assassin-s-controversy",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-07T05:57:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/films/20261007/biff-jury-advocates-creative-freedom-amid-the-assassins-controversy"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Busan — Renowned filmmaker Zhang Yimou and his fellow jurors at the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) have called for the safeguarding of artistic freedom in response to the heated debate surrounding the film The Assassin(s). Zhang, who has directed acclaimed films such as Red Sorghum, Raise the Red Lantern, and Not One Less, serves as the president of the competition section's jury. During a press conference, Zhang emphasized the importance of creative works being free from strict adherence to historical facts. He stated, \"Creation is creation,\" highlighting that movies serve as an artistic means of conveying past stories to contemporary audiences. Zhang acknowledged the existence of differing interpretations and opinions among viewers, but he affirmed that this diversity of perspectives is what gives cinema its allure. Although Zhang has not yet seen The Assassin(s), he expressed awareness of the public discourse surrounding the film.",
  "summary": "BUSAN — Renowned film director Zhang Yimou and fellow jury members of the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) called for the protection of artistic freedom on Wednesday, addressing the fierce controversy surrounding the film \"The Assassin(s).\" Zhang, known for such movies as \"Red Sorghum\" (1988), \"Raise the Red Lantern\" (1991) and \"Not One Less\" (1999), serves as jury president of…",
  "key_points": [
    "Renowned filmmaker Zhang Yimou calls for artistic freedom at BIFF jury",
    "Emphasizes creation free from strict historical adherence",
    "Acknowledges diverse viewer interpretations as cinema's allure"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The BIFF jury's endorsement of creative freedom signals a push for filmmakers to be shielded from constraints that could stifle artistic expression, particularly when depicting historical events.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "BIFF jury advocates creative freedom amid 'The Assassin(s)' controversy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/biff-jury-advocates-creative-freedom-amid-the-assassin-s-controversy-12561638",
        "published": "2026-10-07T06:17:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "BIFF jury chief says 'creation is only creation' amid Korean film controversy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/biff-jury-chief-says-creation-is-only-creation-amid-korean-film",
        "published": "2026-10-07T06:34:18.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}