Busan International Film Festival Sparks Debate with OTT Opening Film

This year’s Busan International Film Festival has selected director Kim Sang-man’s ‘Jeon, Ran’ as its opening film, sparking debate in the film industry. ‘Jeon, Ran’ was produced by director Park Chan-wook and is scheduled to be released by Netflix. Unless Netflix releases this work in theaters, only Netflix subscribers will be able to see it in the future.

The selection of an OTT release as the opening film has raised concerns among some in the film industry, who argue that it prioritizes popularity over artistic merit. The decision has also sparked concerns about the future of the theater industry, which has been struggling in recent years due to the rise of OTT platforms.

The debate surrounding the Busan International Film Festival’s decision is not new. In 2017, the Cannes International Film Festival faced protests from the French theater industry after selecting two OTT releases for its competition section. The festival eventually changed its rules to require that all competing films be screened in theaters.

However, other film festivals, such as the Venice International Film Festival, have taken a more inclusive approach, allowing OTT releases to compete alongside traditional films. In Korea, major film festivals have also been open to including OTT releases, recognizing the changing landscape of the film industry.

The future relationship between movies, theaters, and OTT will continue to be an issue worth paying attention to. As the film industry evolves, it will be interesting to see how festivals and theaters adapt to the changing landscape.

By Noh Gwang-woo, film critic