ความคิดเห็นที่ 171
South Korean movie stars rally against screen cuts, free trade deal with U.S.
KELLY OLSEN : Associated Press Writer
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) _ South Korean movie stars rallied against a government measure pushed by the United States that they say threatens their film industry by subjecting it to increased
competition from Hollywood. About a dozen performers including actors Choi Min-shik, who
starred in the Cannes award-winning film ``Oldboy,'' Song Kang-ho, actress Jeon Do-yeon, movie industry workers and academics were
among the some 3,000 people who gathered Saturday night to denounce the U.S. and
South Korean governments as well as the
american movie industry.
``We refuse to surrender to the unjustifiable demands of the United States,'' Kim Min-woong, a professor of social science and theology at Sungkonghoe University, told the rally at a central
Seoul park. ``We will not kneel down before the Hollywood giant.''
The protest comes amid anger over a South Korean government measure announced in January to essentially cut the number of domestic films local cinemas are required to show annually, a move long pressed for by the U.S. government and Hollywood.
Effective Saturday, local theaters only have to show South Korean movies for 73 days a year, down from the previous 146 days. The quota system had been introduced in 1966 to protect the local film industry. The United States had made cutting the quota a prerequisite for launching free trade negotiations, which began in Washington last
month. The second round of talks is set to start in Seoul on July 10. The two sides are aiming to clinch a deal by the end of this year to submit to their respective legislatures for approval.
Protesters harshly criticized the South Korean government for allegedly caving in to pressure from Washington over the screen quota and the proposed free trade accord.
The South Korean government is confident that local movies can withstand more competition from Hollywood, emphasizing that market share for domestic films grew to nearly 60 percent in 2005 from 50 percent in 2001. Still, it has pledged to continue supporting the local film industry, and has promised a 400 billion won (US$422 million; euro 330 million) fund to help cushion the blow.
That doesn't mean anything to cinematographer Kim Byung-il, who said he fears jobs will be lost.
``The Korean film industry is small,'' said Kim, who filmed the acclaimed 2003 movie ``Untold Scandal,'' a South Korean version of the novel ``Les Liasons Dangereuses.'' It's a ``huge industry in Hollywood.''
Besides the anti-government and U.S. speeches, the largely peaceful rally included musical performances, skits and even the chance to get autographs from some of the stars at a special booth. The latter seemed to be the main attraction for some. Kim Bo-eun, 33, said that seeing the stars was one reason she came to the venue with a friend. But she added she also supported
the screen quota system.
``I love Korean movies,'' she said.
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