▲ The interior of Jeonju Dome at the Jeonju International Film Festival on the followingnoon of the 1st when the documentary film was screened. ⓒ Etnine Film
The documentary regarding the series of circumstances surrounding the appointment of former Justice Minister Cho Kuk was successfully screened without much fuss. The documentary was invited to the special screening section of the 23rd Jeonju International Film Festival and was scheduled to be screened only once at the Jeonju Dome on the followingnoon of the 1st.
Ahead of the release of the film, which pointed out the reality that one family and even all Koreans might become victims by the prosecution, the judiciary, and the media, there were concerns that an unexpected situation might occur on the day of the screening. Previously, large-scale candlelight rallies calling for prosecutorial reform and critical rallies by conservative groups targeting the former Minister of Homeland continued, so the production crew and event officials were watching the scene with tension.
As a result, the screening of the film ended without any major problems. There were no reserved seats, but first-come-first-served seating, so a long line was formed with spectators trying to get a seat an hour before the screening. The Jeonju Dome, which has regarding 2,300 seats, was almost full. According to the production company, ticket sales continued quickly as soon as the reservation was opened, and it is said that the highest number of sales were made among a total of five dome screenings since the opening of the film festival.
The atmosphere at the screening site was hot as the crowdfunding, which started on April 25, far exceeded the target of 50 million won in just 3 hours.
Director Jin Mo-young, who participated as the executive producer, said in a stage greeting before the screening, “I made a film in secret for over a year, and when the news of the release was announced, many citizens and filmmakers were worried. “I mightn’t just ignore this era. I had to record this era accurately,” he said.
Producer Gam Byeong-seok also added, “It is a work that asks regarding what happened during the 67 days in the process of former Minister Cho resigning three years ago.”
▲ Director Lee Seung-jun of the documentary film. ⓒ Etnine Film
Director Lee Seung-jun, in charge of directing, said, “I’ve been making films for over 20 years and I’ve been to a lot of film festivals, so I thought I’d get used to it, but I’m very nervous. )) I wanted to capture their hearts. Still, many people are in pain. A film that reflects on the source of that pain.” A couple of times during the greeting process, there was a scene where the audience applauded director Lee Seung-jun, who swallowed his tears as if he had been emotionally blessed.
During the screening, there were sighs and gossips from some of the audience in the scene of the appointment of former Minister Cho Kuk or the appearance of the current president-elect Yoon Seok-yeol, who was appointed as the Prosecutor General at the same time. Even while the movie ending credits were going up, it was not difficult to find scenes of people actively exchanging movie-related stories in various places in the audience.
After the screening, we were able to see citizens taking commemorative photos in front of a huge promotional banner near the entrance to the theater. Several film officials, including Lee Jun-dong, executive director of the Jeonju International Film Festival, stayed at the scene following watching and communicated with the audience.
An official from the production company said, “I was nervous because there was a saying that some conservative groups bought a lot of tickets, but there was nothing to be concerned regarding. It was an hour.”
Meanwhile will hold a press preview in Seoul on the 10th and is scheduled to be released in May.
