Independent Films Becoming Popular among Moviegoers Despite Small Budget
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The budgets for Korean movies are practically nothing compared to Hollywood blockbusters, but they have been growing in recent years.
There's a movement though to make sure small budget independent films aren't swamped in the flood of commercial films, and one recent release by a world renowned Korean director is a prime example of that drive.
Son Heekyung reports.
An obsessive woman undergoes plastic surgery to keep her boyfriend.
She reappears in front of her ex with a new look and a new name.
This is the film "Time" by maverick director Kim Ki-duk, a good example of a low-budget production.
Despite the slender budget for advertising compared to many Hollywood blockbusters, there's a line to see the movie on a weekday.
SON HEEKYUNG, REPORTER: "Small-budget and indie films have long been overshadowed by big-budget productions, and their distributors voice concern that securing screens at theaters is a struggle. Not at this multiplex, which encourages filmgoers to enjoy different genres by dedicating one theater solely to showing independent films".
One theater here is among 12 screens nationwide, now showing "Time", a production made on a shoestring budget of 10 million U.S. dollars.
But at one of Korea's leading multiplex chains, long-term prospects of such a setup aren't looking bright.
That's because the take from such movies is anything but blockbuster.
RECORDED: "It's been around two years since we set aside a screen exclusively for independent films. But ever since, we have been recording an annual deficit of about one million U.S. dollars. Attendance at indie films is half that of blockbusters. Sadly, the reality is that not that many people are choosing to watch indie films".
Hoping to draw more viewers to indie films, the Korean Film Council, a state-run body, gives support for 12 screens nationwide to exclusively show small-budget movies.
And, this theater in downtown Seoul is one of those known for showing such independent features.
However, the cinema says the problem at the moment is that only the people who know of indie films come here.
RECORDED: "I think indie films have strong and unique scripts than other films. But it was such a long journey for me to get here because there are only a few 'indie screens' in Seoul".
RECORDED: "I came to see "Time". I hear the film has much more dialogue than a typical Kim Ki-duk movie. I hope these small budget productions will soon receive recognition among Korean moviegoers".
The film council says the aim is to stimulate moviegoers to step out of their comfort zone, and enjoy a wider range of movies from different genres.
And ultimately to broaden viewers' cinematic horizons.
Son Heekyung, Arirang News.
Video by following the link
There's a movement though to make sure small budget independent films aren't swamped in the flood of commercial films, and one recent release by a world renowned Korean director is a prime example of that drive.
Son Heekyung reports.
An obsessive woman undergoes plastic surgery to keep her boyfriend.
She reappears in front of her ex with a new look and a new name.
This is the film "Time" by maverick director Kim Ki-duk, a good example of a low-budget production.
Despite the slender budget for advertising compared to many Hollywood blockbusters, there's a line to see the movie on a weekday.
SON HEEKYUNG, REPORTER: "Small-budget and indie films have long been overshadowed by big-budget productions, and their distributors voice concern that securing screens at theaters is a struggle. Not at this multiplex, which encourages filmgoers to enjoy different genres by dedicating one theater solely to showing independent films".
One theater here is among 12 screens nationwide, now showing "Time", a production made on a shoestring budget of 10 million U.S. dollars.
But at one of Korea's leading multiplex chains, long-term prospects of such a setup aren't looking bright.
That's because the take from such movies is anything but blockbuster.
RECORDED: "It's been around two years since we set aside a screen exclusively for independent films. But ever since, we have been recording an annual deficit of about one million U.S. dollars. Attendance at indie films is half that of blockbusters. Sadly, the reality is that not that many people are choosing to watch indie films".
Hoping to draw more viewers to indie films, the Korean Film Council, a state-run body, gives support for 12 screens nationwide to exclusively show small-budget movies.
And, this theater in downtown Seoul is one of those known for showing such independent features.
However, the cinema says the problem at the moment is that only the people who know of indie films come here.
RECORDED: "I think indie films have strong and unique scripts than other films. But it was such a long journey for me to get here because there are only a few 'indie screens' in Seoul".
RECORDED: "I came to see "Time". I hear the film has much more dialogue than a typical Kim Ki-duk movie. I hope these small budget productions will soon receive recognition among Korean moviegoers".
The film council says the aim is to stimulate moviegoers to step out of their comfort zone, and enjoy a wider range of movies from different genres.
And ultimately to broaden viewers' cinematic horizons.
Son Heekyung, Arirang News.
Video by following the link
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