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| Actors Jin Sun-kyu, left, and Park Ho-san posted photos of themselves doing the three-finger salute on Instagram, March 30, to show support for the people of Myanmar. Screen captured from Jin Sun-kyu's and Park Ho-san's Instagram |
By Kwak Yeon-soo
The organizers of Korean film festivals have expressed solidarity with the people of Myanmar in their opposition to the military coup, showing support for their collective bravery in fighting for democracy.
In a joint statement released Tuesday, the organizers condemned the violence against peaceful protestors that has led to numerous deaths of civilians, including children.
The presidents of 11 film festivals, including the Busan International Film Festival, the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival and the DMZ International Documentary Film Festival will hold a press conference April 30 during the 22nd Jeonju International Film Festival to voice support for the filmmaking community in Myanmar.
The filmmakers are taking part in the civil disobedience movement aimed at restoring democracy, and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms such as freedom of artistic expression in Myanmar.
"We strongly condemn the ruthless massacre of peaceful protesters and call for an end to all of the violence. We also call for an immediate halt to searches and imprisonment of filmmakers who are trying to tell the truth by resisting the coup. We urge the military to immediately cede its power to the rightful democratic government chosen by its people," the film organizers said in a joint statement.
They urged the military to immediately release all people who have been detained arbitrarily, including members of the government, and to rescind arrest warrants for Myanmar filmmakers.
"The ongoing violence by the military in Myanmar brings back vivid memories of the violence committed by dictators that took place in Korea not so long ago," they said.
"The bold actions of Myanmar filmmakers to regain democracy, peace, human rights, and freedom remind us of how Korean filmmakers fought for freedom of expression in the past. We have not forgotten the filmmakers from around the world who stood with us at that time."
The festival organizers also stressed the need to raise solidarity with Asian cinema to overcome the crisis together and protect the autonomy of the cultural arts, freedom of expression, and the civic rights of minorities.
On March 30, actors Park Ho-san and Jin Sun-kyu posted photos of themselves on social media doing the three-finger salute that was inspired by "The Hunger Games" films, to show support for the Myanmar people.
"Even now, the people of Myanmar are threatened by soldiers who should be defending them. Sadly, Korea experienced a similar history in which the military seized control of the country. I will pray for Myanmar so that a democratic spring comes to the country," Park wrote on Instagram.
