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| Contents Panda, the former overseas distributor of the film "Time to Hunt," has filed a lawsuit against distributor Little Big Pictures over the film's Netflix release. Courtesy of Netflix |
By Lee Gyu-lee
Little Big Pictures, the distributor of the new film "Time to Hunt," and its former overseas sales agency Contents Panda are in a legal battle over the film's Netflix release.
Contents Panda ― formerly responsible for the film's overseas sales ― said Wednesday it has filed an injunction against the distributor to suspend the screening of the film, set to hit Netflix on April 10.
The dispute erupted when the distributor signed a contract with Netflix in March for an exclusive premiere of the film on the platform. The movie was supposed to hit local theaters in February but its theatrical release was canceled due to rising concerns over the coronavirus.
Netflix said that the film will be available in over 190 countries on March 23. However, Contents Panda released a statement soon after the announcement, claiming that this is a violation of the overseas sales contract between the distributor and its company.
"Little Big Pictures unilaterally notified us of the termination of the contract," Contents Panda said. "None of the overseas distributors agreed on an exclusive distribution agreement with Netflix."
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| A poster for the film./ Courtesy of Netflix |
The distributor rejected Contents Panda's claims, saying the contract between the two companies was terminated through the proper legal process.
"We sent out emails directly to all overseas distributors regarding the settlement to any loss regarding the contracts," it said, adding that all was settled before signing the deal with Netflix.
The film, directed by Yoon Sung-hyun, follows four young men who commit crimes to survive in an economically devastated dystopian society. It had its world premiere at the 70th Berlin International Film Festival in February.
The film's cast includes "Parasite" actor Choi Woo-shik, and Lee Je-hoon, Park Jeong-min, Ahn Jae-hong and Park Hae-soo.
