Global Status Rises as American Political and Financial Figures Attend in Mass
The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), held an official event in Washington where American political and financial figures, hierarchy members of global media groups such as Time Warner could view and focus on Korean films. Co-hosted by
CJ E&M and MPAA, the event named ‘Spotlight on Korean Cinema’ took place at 6:30 p.m. on May 14th (UTC-4). Big political names including Christopher Dodd, who was a Senator for 30 years and is currently the chairman of MPAA, and Mike Honda, a member of the lower house, were in attendance.
Johnnie Giles, the vice president of Comcast, an expert media group possessing NBC Universal, and many other executives of world media groups participated in the event, which showed the level of interest of American entertainment business in Korean cinema. As it was a crucial event symbolizing the global status of Korean film industry, KIM Yong, the president of IBRD, people related to the United States Department of Commerce or the United States Department of Defence and CHOI Yeong-jin, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the United States, were in attendance.
LEE Byung-hun of
Masquerade, one of the screened films, was also at the event. When the ending credits rolled, the audience gave a standing ovation. The skill of the director, performance of the actors and the mise-en-scene were highly praised.
Christopher Dodd, the chairman of the MPAA said, “As the astonishing development of Korean films catches attention, it is expected to blow a refreshing air to the American film scene so that the globalization of Korean films can lead the co-development of world popular culture.”
Julian JUNG, the head of film business section of CJ E&M said, “CJ E&M has made years of efforts to globalize Korean films and we will continue to make constant efforts in cultural diplomacy to raise the national image and keep cultural exchange between the two nations.”