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Q&A with Park Chan-wook, Park Chan-kyong
Q. In the project, citizens' videos about every nook and cranny of Seoul will undergo your professional touches. Is there any kind of particular city's image that you want to show through the project?
A. (Park Chan-wook) If you thought so, you are mistaken. If I intended to portray a certain image of Seoul, I would have made a prior announcement. Though, I wish the videos would be something that shows the city anew and not primarily promotional. Parodies are not welcomed, either. But, except that, every option is open for participants.
Q. (To Chan-wook) Your name reminds us "revenge" or "blood." But, this time it is not about any of these. What made you take part in this seemingly unfitting project?
A. My films are not all about violence. In fact, I made a number of music videos in the past. Before the shooting, I don't usually make boundaries in terms of the subject of the movie I am going to film.
Q. Do you two have separate roles in the project?
A. (Chan-kyong) There isn't a definite line dividing one's role from others. We rather work in unison.
Q. Don't you agree that you two have different tastes in movie making? It seems to me the elder Park has stronger taste than younger Park.
A. (Chan-wook) It is mainly because you believe so. Since we grew up together, we share lots of experiences as well as thoughts about life.
Q. If anything, what do you want to say about Seoul through your videos?
A. (Chan-kyong) People know Seoul by its skyscrapers, jammed roads and apartment complexes. But if you wander a little from the city's center, you will find beautiful landscapes easily. There are beautiful mountains like Mt. Inwang and Dobong in vicinity. That's what I treasure. There are especially great mountains in northern Seoul.
Q. Do you like climbing the mountains?
A. (Park Chan-kyong) I am the type who appreciates its existence from a distance. I don't climb myself. (Park Chan-wook) Same here. Climbing is a hard labor for me. Personally I like Inwang mountain, which famous Joseon dynasty artist Jeong-sun painted in his picture.
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| Director Park Chan-wook |
Q. Are you going to focus on the positive side of Seoul only?
A. (Chan-kyong) Definitely not. Like the aged roaming Topgol Park, it could tell the darker side of the city. If anyone films them, I would welcome it. (Chan-wook) If the image is a bit gloomy but has a good story, we have no reason to reject it. After all, our end-result would be in the hands of participants and the videos they send in.
Q. Do you feel any pressure to show the good sides of Seoul because the film is promotional?
A. (Chan-kyong) I think it's a matter of perception on promotion. Seoul can be promoted through the film but we will not intentionally make the film in order to promote it. The film will be made for cinematic perfection.
Q. Are you going to reflect the views of foreigners in the film?
A. (Chan-wook) Yes. We hope that many videos reflecting their views will apply for the project. That's why we put "Made in Seoul" as one of the three themes.
Q. Are you rivals or partners?
A. (Chan-wook) Partners.(Chan-kyong) It has not been long since I started my cinematic career. Before, I worked in art. So there are huge differences (between Chan-wook and me) in cinematic experience.
Q. How does your brother affect your cinematic career?
A. (Chan-kyong) Well, he always helps me. Because of my brother, I've learned many things about filmmaking much faster than others. (Chan-wook) I have created many films with negative spirits. But Chan-kyong helps me get out of it.
Q. While working with Chan-kyong, does his feelings and spirit inspire your works?
A. (Chan-wook) I have not made such works yet. But while working with Chan-kyong on Night Fishing, I became interested in Korean shamanism. The subject might be reflected in my future work. But I am not working on anything for now.
Q. Did you encounter any difficulties in working with Chan-wook because he is your older brother? Have you ever dropped your ideas and instead accepted Chan-wook's when there are conflicts?
A. (Chan-kyong) Our ideas are not the same all the time because the details can be different although we share the same big picture. But we can solve them through conversation. We narrow differences through discussion and accept ideas from other staff.
Q. On a recent visit to Seoul, Matt Damon mentioned you as one of the filmmakers he wants to work with. How do you feel?
A. (Chan-wook) I think it's a complimentary comment. Someday if there is a script with a proper role for him, it might be possible.
Q. Do you have foreign actors in mind you want to work with?
A. (Chan-wook) Yes. There are many. Gene Hackman is an actor I want to work with. But he has retired. Well, he might come back if he finds an attractive scenario.
Q. Why do you like Gene Hackman?
A. (Chan-wook) Among others, the last film I was fascinated by the most was "Unforgiven" although I like other works starring him. The film was really impressive.
Q. After working overseas, what do you think about the Korea movie-making system? And is there specific direction that Korea movie-making system should take?
A. (Chan-wook) I compared them a lot. At first I was embarrassed because it was too different. I gave it a lot of consideration, and my conclusion is that I can't say which is better. The Korean movie-making system made Korean movies internationally famous. It's not because one person was smart or brilliant. The unique Korean system allowed it to happen. So, I can't say that we should get rid of some parts of the Korean system. A system is an entangled organism. I can't say for sure that a system will improve if we remove some parts and transplant the American style of filmmaking. I think making movies the Korean way in Korea is desirable, while it's desirable to make films in America the American way.
Q. Which system is better for you?
A. (Chan-kyong) For me, the Korean system is much more comfortable. The advantage of the American style is longer after-shooting and editing processes. So, the director has much more time to work on editing, putting in sounds or effects. That's awesome.
Q. Spike Lee has remade a version of "Old Boy" recently. The quote "Don't remake ours" has been reported by foreign press. What did you mean by this?
A. (Chan-wook) I meant to say to make it his own film.
Q. A film is naturally going to be influenced by the directors. So the feeling is the Seoul movie will not be too bright and sunny.
A. (Chan-wook) It won't be too dark, but it won't just be sunny either.
Q. This special project — is it different from making commercial films?
A. (Chan-wook) When I am working on commercial, full-length films, it at times feels stuffy and burdensome. It's large in scale and heavy. So these projects are a chance for me to relish freedom and to refresh.
Q. Doesn't fame ensure you more freedom?
A. (Chan-wook) Not necessarily so. Because there is a huge production fee involved, I have to ensure that a film breaks even, or at least prevent investors from losing money. I have to make sure that their investment makes a return, as this is business.
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