Key facts
- SGIFF will screen "The Assassin(s)" as its opening film.
- South Korea's People Power Party (PPP) requested the film's withdrawal.
- The PPP cited allegations of historical distortion in the film.
- The film is a fictionalized portrayal of a 1974 assassination attempt on South Korea's then-president Park Chung-hee.
- The assassination attempt resulted in the death of first lady Yuk Young-soo.
- SGIFF stated the film was selected for its artistic merit and contribution to contemporary Asian cinema.
The Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) has confirmed it will proceed with screening the South Korean political thriller "The Assassin(s)" as its opening film for its 37th edition, despite calls from South Korea's conservative opposition People Power Party (PPP) to withdraw it. The PPP had sent an open letter to SGIFF urging the festival to reconsider its selection, citing allegations of historical distortion in the film's fictionalized portrayal of a real-life 1974 assassination attempt.
SGIFF stated that it respects the creative vision of the filmmakers and selected the film through an independent curatorial process based on its artistic merit and contribution to contemporary Asian cinema. The festival emphasized its role in providing a platform for diverse stories and perspectives.
The film, directed by Hur Jin-ho and starring Yoo Hae-jin, Park Hae-il, and Lee Min-ho, draws on the 1974 assassination attempt against then-president Park Chung-hee, which resulted in the death of his wife, first lady Yuk Young-soo. The film reportedly raises questions about the possible involvement of Park and South Korean intelligence officials, which has angered conservative groups who argue it misrepresents historical accounts. The filmmakers have described the work as cinematic imagination, not intended to establish historical conclusions or serve political purposes.