Lifestyle FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2016 Asia’s top film fest in crisis he future of Asia’s top film festival is being Hundreds of South Korean actors, directors threatened by a bitter dispute over what and producers have staged street rallies for Torganizers are calling an unacceptable months urging the authorities to back off. “This political challenge to their artistic independence, festival is not a personal possession of state offi- with moviemakers pushing an “empty red carpet” cials, but a valued cultural heritage nurtured and boycott of this year’s event. The Busan enjoyed by movie fans,” an amalgam of Korean International Film Festival (BIFF) — held every filmmakers’ associations said in a joint statement October in the South Korean port of Busan- released in March. The group vowed to boycott marked its 20 anniversary last year, but celebra- the 2016 event unless the Busan city council-a tions were soured by a lingering row that has major BIFF sponsor and stakeholder-accepts since snowballed into a full-blown crisis. changes to the festival rules that they say would A flurry of official probes targeting its organiz- ensure its artistic independence. ers and an unprecedented cut in state funding have raised serious doubts over the event’s artis- ‘Empty red carpet’ tic and financial viability. Artistic director Lee “The world will witness the empty red carpet Yong-Kwan was forced to step down in February, for the first time in 20 years of BIFF’s history and even as his counterparts from other top interna- the audience from all over the world will stop tional film festivals like Cannes and Berlin wrote coming to Busan for the festival anymore,” the an open letter warning that political pressure was statement said. The council rejected the ultima- threatening BIFF’s future. Organizers say they tum, insisting the government probes and Lee’s have become targets of political retaliation for departure had nothing to do with the controver- screening a film in 2014 — in defiance of state sial documentary. “I was simply trying to overhaul opposition-about the government’s handling of the unreasonable operations of the festival that the Sewol ferry disaster. The scathing, highly have been dominated by a few,” Suh told a press emotive documentary slammed Seoul’s botched This file photo taken on October 1, 2015 shows visitors walking past a banner for the Busan conference. “These people are trying to frame my rescue efforts in the immediate aftermath of the International Film Festival (BIFF) at the Busan Cinema Center in Busan. — AFP efforts as political oppression and deceive many ferry sinking in April 2014 that claimed more than citizens,” he said. 300 lives, most of them school children. who serves as festival chairman and who deemed Global industry support With the dispute showing no signs of abat- the movie “too political”. The premiere went The same month saw the publication of an ing, the festival organizers fear its integrity is ‘Hefty price’ ahead after a barrage of protest from filmmakers open letter of protest to the mayor, signed by in peril. “For now we are trying our best to “We are paying a hefty price for screening the who accused Suh of compromising the festival’s more than 100 prominent overseas cineastes prepare for this year’s event but we are afraid movie that the government disliked,” a BIFF independence. including the directors of the Cannes, Berlin and the crisis is greatly hurting our reputation,” spokeswoman, Kim Jung-Yun, told AFP. But state funding was nearly halved to 800 Venice film festivals. “Our concern leads us to call said spokeswoman Kim. “Who would want to “Everyone is concerned about artistic and politi- million won ($700,000) for the 2015 event, while on you... not to damage the festival or its inde- come to see a film festival with no freedom of cal independence of the BIFF... this is the biggest BIFF director Lee became the target of a series of pendence, and to stop applying political pressure expression?” — AFP crisis we have ever faced,” Kim said. “Diving Bell” probes by state auditors and prosecutors over the to the festival’s leaders and programmers,” the (or “The Truth Will Not Sink With Sewol”) had its festival’s financial dealings. Lee was eventually letter said. “The events of the past year not only world premiere at the 2014 BIFF, against the compelled to leave in February after Suh refused threaten that independence but also put the wishes of the Busan city mayor, Suh Byung-Hoo, to renew his contract. entire future of BIFF at risk,” it added. Lawrence is ‘Dying’ to make more ‘X-Men’ movies ennifer Lawrence revealed that she’s Past” (2014) and now in “X-Men: eager to star in more “X-Men” films. “I am Apocalypse,” the latest chapter in the film Jdying to come back,” the Oscar-winning series. actress told Empire in an interview. “I love Related ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’ First Official these movies, I love being in them. I love Trailer Promises Death and Destruction In ensemble movies because it’s not on any- the ninth “X-Men” installment, which is set a one’s shoulders.” Lawrence’s admission decade after the events of “X-Men: Days of comes as a surprise, considering that last May Future Past,” the X-Men must unite to face British comedian Ronnie Corbett poses with his medal after she confirmed that the spring 2016 release immortal supervillain Apocalypse (played he received the honor Commander of the Order of the British of “X-Men: Apocalypse” would mark her final by Oscar Isaac), who awakens after thou- Empire (CBE) from Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II during an appearance in the sci-fi franchise. She’s sands of years with a plan to extinguish investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace in central played sexy blue mutant Mystique in “X-Men: humanity.—Reuters London on February 16, 2012. — AFP First Class” (2011), “X-Men: Days of Future British comedy great Ronnie Corbett dies aged 85 DiCaprio’s Appian Way signs onnie Corbett, one of Britain’s most successful comedians first look deal with paramount best known for “The Two Ronnies”, his double-act show Rwith Ronnie Barker, has died aged 85, his publicist said yes- eonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way Productions “I’ve had the pleasure of working with Brad and terday. The show ran on the BBC from 1971 to 1987 and was one has signed a three-year first-look deal with the team at Paramount Pictures on numerous proj- of the most popular light entertainment shows of the era. Its LParamount Pictures. Paramount Pictures and ects throughout my career. I cannot think of a bet- opening titles featured the two sets of spectacles worn by its Appian Way have four projects currently under ter home for Appian Way as we continue our stars and it regularly closed with one of the best-known catch- development, including: “The Devil in the White growth,” said DiCaprio. Paramount CEO Brad Grey phrases on British television: “It’s goodnight from me... and it’s City,” based on the book by Erik Larson with the added: “Leo is one of the great talents of our time. screen adaptation by Academy AwardR nominated goodnight from him.” He is a masterful actor, storyteller and producer, screenwriter Billy Ray, which will reunite DiCaprio with impeccable taste and skill that has shaped his A statement from his publicist said: “Ronnie Corbett CBE, one with Scorsese; “Sandcastle Empire,” a film adapta- extraordinary career. Our first project together was of the nation’s best-loved entertainers, passed away this morn- tion of the novel by Kayla Olson which depicts an ‘The Departed,’ before I came to Paramount. Since ing, surrounded by his loving family. “They have asked that their apocalyptic future with society on the brink of col- then, working with the legendary Martin Scorsese, privacy is respected at this very sad time.” Corbett’s other cele- lapse from climate change; a yet untitled film we have partnered on two wonderful pictures, brated roles included in 1960s satirical comedy show “The Frost based on a book proposal by New York Times jour- ‘Shutter Island’ and ‘The Wolf of Wall Street.’ We are Report” and “Sorry!”, a 1980s sitcom about a fortysomething nalist Jack Ewing about the recent Volkswagen both proud and excited to grow our relationships librarian who lives with his domineering mother and timid father. diesel emissions scandal; and a limited television with him, Rick Yorn, Jennifer Davisson and the Prime Minister David Cameron and British comedians rushed to series based on A. Scott Berg’s Pulitzer Prize-win- entire team at Appian Way.”—Reuters pay tribute to Corbett following his death. Leonardo DiCaprio ning biography of Charles Lindbergh.