Park uses film openings to highlight stances

By Yi Whan-woo

Park Geun-hye used films released this week to highlight her political views, using one as a platform to address capital punishment and shirking another that is critical of conservative figures including her.

On Tuesday, she sparked debate on the death penalty after watching a preview screening of “Don’t Cry Mommy,” a film about a sex crime victim. She said capital punishment should be considered as an option to deter such offenses.

The film topped the box office, selling 101,365 tickets on Thursday when it officially opened.

But the standard bearer of the ruling Saenuri Party did not attend the preview screening for “National Security,” a politically-sensitive film over alleged criticism of the conservatives. The film fared worse, garnering an initial audience of 31,141, amid some comments that the film is politically biased.

Watchers say Park’s reaction to the films played affected their opening-day results.

SBS Contents Hub, the distributor of “Don’t Cry Mommy,” said Park’s emotional response generated interest in the film. The drama centers on a mother who seeks revenge for her daughter, who committed suicide after being raped at her school.

The high-profile screening included several other female activists and politicians including Sim Sang-jung, the presidential candidate for minor liberal Progressive Justice party and Kim Mi-kyung, a professor at Seoul National University who is also the wife of liberal candidate Ahn Cheol-soo.

But it was Park’s comment that drew the most attention, sparking debate over the revival of the capital punishment on sex criminals.

“I think such criminals should be put under heavy punishments, including the death penalty,” the conservative candidate said.

Park is said to have welled up with tears throughout the screening and also commented on her emotional reaction on the Twitter.

“I felt as if I was the mother of the victim in the film throughout the screening. I’m still angry and just can’t calm down,” she tweeted.

Her response was similar to that shown by Moon and Ahn toward “National Security.” The film is about Kim Geun-tae, the late senior adviser of the Democratic United Party who underwent 22 days of torture at hands of police interrogators in 1985 for protesting against the military government.

The conservative candidate did not appear at the screening, held on Nov. 12, despite a personal invitation from director Chung Ji-young’s for all presidential contenders. The film headlined the news for emotional responses shown by Moon and Ahn as well as for Park’s absence.

Cinus Entertainment, a co-distributor of the movie, blamed its tepid performance on the allegation that it is politically biased.

“It’s too early to say, but I think the public deems ‘National Security’ as politically slanted toward the liberal candidates coupled with the director’s comment on the movie in relation to the Dec. 19 election,” said Joo Yun-ho, a marketing manager of Cinus Entertainment.

He also cited a comment made by director Chung, who said in October that he wanted his work to “influence the election.” He later clarified that he meant to change the mindset of voters in choosing the right candidate.