'Minari' distributor threatens legal action against illegal distributors

“Minari” will make local release on March 3. Courtesy of Pancinema

By Lee Gyu-lee

Pancinema, the local distributor of the award-winning film “Minari,” threatened to take legal action Monday against anyone making unauthorized attempts to distribute the movie online.

“It came to our attention that Minari has been illegally distributed not only on local and overseas websites but also through social media, cloud sharing platforms, and messengers,” Pancinema said in a statement.

It added that it is tracking down every illegal post containing the full video of the movie.

Noting that it has not authorized any individuals or group to share the film, the distributor said: “Posting, sharing, distributing and downloading the film is clearly copyright infringement and is unlawful, and we will take necessary legal action.”

Directed by Lee Isaac Chung, the drama film revolves around a South Korean immigrant family who moves to the United States. In a small town in Arkansas, the family members struggle to adjust to their new life as they pursue their American dreams.

The film, since its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival last January, has so far won over 50 international awards. It has won three nominations ― outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture, best actor, and best supporting actress ― at this year's Screen Actors Guild Awards, which will be held April 4.

“Minari” is scheduled to hit local theaters March 3.