Korean Cinema in 'Precarious Period' Due To Netflix, Says Director Jang Joon-hwan (theguardian.com) 7
An anonymous reader shares a report: When Parasite became the first non-English language film in Oscars history to win best picture in 2019, it marked a breakthrough moment for Korean cinema. But the surge of interest that followed the director Bong Joon-ho's international success has not translated into a thriving local film industry, according to another of its leading lights.
The director Jang Joon-hwan said K-cinema was struggling after the arrival of Netflix and other streaming platforms, with movies often rushed on to streaming platforms, and box office ticket sales suffering as a consequence. Jang, whose 2004 cult sci-fi comedy Save the Green Planet is being remade by the Poor Things director, Yorgos Lanthimos, said Korean cinema was going through a "very precarious period" because Korean viewers would increasingly prefer to wait for films to come out on streaming platforms than pay more to go to the cinema.
"I hope that such a day comes that Korean films are being introduced to wider audiences and we can all enjoy them together, however as a Korean film director in Korea, [it's] a very difficult and challenging time with the advent of Netflix and the [streaming] platforms. In this post-pandemic period cinemagoers have dropped dramatically, so investment has dropped. There are less Korean films being made," he said. But he acknowledged that platforms such as Netflix had "introduced a lot of new international fans to Korean content," through hit shows such as Squid Game.
The director Jang Joon-hwan said K-cinema was struggling after the arrival of Netflix and other streaming platforms, with movies often rushed on to streaming platforms, and box office ticket sales suffering as a consequence. Jang, whose 2004 cult sci-fi comedy Save the Green Planet is being remade by the Poor Things director, Yorgos Lanthimos, said Korean cinema was going through a "very precarious period" because Korean viewers would increasingly prefer to wait for films to come out on streaming platforms than pay more to go to the cinema.
"I hope that such a day comes that Korean films are being introduced to wider audiences and we can all enjoy them together, however as a Korean film director in Korea, [it's] a very difficult and challenging time with the advent of Netflix and the [streaming] platforms. In this post-pandemic period cinemagoers have dropped dramatically, so investment has dropped. There are less Korean films being made," he said. But he acknowledged that platforms such as Netflix had "introduced a lot of new international fans to Korean content," through hit shows such as Squid Game.
Ticket prices have nothing to do with it? (Score:4, Informative)
I have not gone to a theatre in many, many years. The last time a ticket was around $10+. I checked my local AMC theatre and one seat is $26.18 for an adult and $23.18 for a child. WTF!
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I have not gone to a theatre in many, many years. The last time a ticket was around $10+. I checked my local AMC theatre and one seat is $26.18 for an adult and $23.18 for a child. WTF!
Really? Cause it is $8.75 here on the central coast of California for an adult daytime ticket to a standard film, $12.00 for a 3D showing, the evening showings (after 6pm) are $12.25 for a standard film and $15.50 for a 3D showing. These prices are from the theater website today. There is a $1.89 fee for online purchase vs paying at the box office.
The local theater has wide, comfy, seats with rocking/reclining and fold up armrests. It is not super luxury, but it is pretty comfy, and they do keep up the
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It could be Silicon Valley prices. I looked up the first movie I could find, "Venom", and my closest one was $26, the next one I checked was $27. It is a newer theatre and they will bring food to you seat, for more $ of course, but that's still stupid high IMHO.
I checked the Cinemark in Mountain View, next to Google HQ and it is $17.64 ($15.75 + $1.89 fee) for tonight. That's less insane. In both case I did not go for the premium 3D, or iMax which would be even more obviously.
I still have discounted tickets
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Yeah. The markup in the valley is biting you in the ass. Drive a couple hours south to Carmel and we are half the price! Overall the cost of living is about the same here tho -rent is about the same here as it was in Mountain View.
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Is that during matinee hours in a smaller theatre? If not, then try that. I noticed cheaper prices in smaller AMC theatre vs. the bigger AMC theatres. I don't need big rooms with fancy sound and picture. I used to before screens went digital and theatres got their remodels. My friend and I saw Deadpool vs. Wolverine movie. The ticket was for $11.88 IIRC on Friday 2 PM PDT as an AMC member. Also, we don't eat and drink due to their high costs.
Ii see his point, but... (Score:3)
This being said, this particular director made a true gem with Save The Green Planet - worth watching the original! Korean cinema is so very very so very creative at its best.
It's the new reality (Score:1)
When anyone can easily afford a 75" TV and nice speakers, why go to the theater?