‘Pieta Act’ proposed at the parliamentary inspection of the administration
So called the ‘Pieta Act’, focusing on support for foundation of independent films’ exclusive screens to secure more chances for independent and artistic films to meet audiences, will be proposed.
JEON Byeong-heon, a politician of the Democratic United Party, expressed the intention to propose the ‘Pieta Act’, a partially revised act about promotion of films and videos, at the parliamentary inspection of the administration conducted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism after saying, “Multi-flex theaters, occupying 87.7% of all the screens in Korea, have given all the chances for screening only to their affiliates.”
This act will modify the existing fundamental plan for film promotion by adding articles and clauses about ‘fosterage and support for low budgeted independent and artistic films’ and ‘establishment and management support for exclusive screens for independent and artistic films’.
JEON said, “Among recently released films,
Masquerade produced by
CJ Entertainment and
The Spy produced by
Lotte Entertainment have secured 689 screens and 533 screens respectively.” He then added, “Compared to the fact that
Pieta, the winner of the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival was screened only at 153 screens, it is hard to deny that
CGV and
Lotte Cinema unfairly supported their affiliates.”
He also said, “Cineastes are asking for implementation of independent and artistic film quota system, increase of exclusive screens for such films and introduction of quota cap system to prevent screen monopoly. It can be possibly done with little cost by making use of theaters that were closed because of multi-flexes but have not been sold or rented.”