President Lee Jae-myung emphasizes his will to support independent films at a meeting with filmmakers during his visit to France

“There must be a strong ecosystem,” highlighting the will to support independent films… listening to policy suggestions

(Nice = Yonhap News) Reporters Lim Hyeong-seop and Ko Dong-wook = President Lee Jae-myung, who is on a state visit to France, met local filmmakers by attending the 'Lumière Summit', a film and video industry summit held near Nice on the 7th (local time).

This meeting, held under the title 'Next Scene, Talking about the Tomorrow of K Content', was attended by director Lee Chang-dong, who directed the movie 'Peppermint Candy', director Jeong Ju-ri, who directed the movie 'Dora', and actors Sol Kyeong-gu, Jeon Do-yeon, and Kim Do-yeon, as well as Vice President Kim Min-young, who oversees content in the Asia Pacific region (excluding India) at Netflix.

President Lee said at the event, “In less than 100 years, (the film industry) has grown to a level that is noticeable around the world. “There is no country where the free political environment and democracy, which are the foundation and root of culture and arts, have developed so much,” he said.

However, President Lee said, “Actually, I have some concerns about the Korean film industry. “The fruit appears to have grown very well, but the problem is that all the small trees and grass below have died and only a few large old trees remain,” he said. “I am worried about how long these old trees will be able to survive.” “We need an ecosystem where small trees grow continuously,” he said.

In particular, “the ladder was broken. He also diagnosed, “The production of profitable masterpieces should be left to global investors, and the government should provide support for films whose commercial viability is not guaranteed. (The current situation) is glamorous on the outside, but rotting on the inside.”

This can be interpreted as a message of concern that the polarization phenomenon in the film industry will worsen or that independent films will not be able to properly maintain their reputation.

To Director Lee Chang-dong, “People like our director have worked hard. “Shouldn’t younger generations also have opportunities now?” he said, emphasizing that ample opportunities should be given to filmmakers who have not yet received attention.

President Lee also received policy suggestions from attendees.

Director Lee Chang-dong said, “A structural crisis has begun. “Even the films I made did not receive any investment domestically,” he said, pointing out that investment in the film industry is shrinking.

He added, "Korea has a status that rivals that of France in the film industry, but it falls short of France in terms of health."

For example, he suggested a way to stimulate investment by increasing tax benefits for individuals or private capital investing in movies.

President Lee, who was listening while taking notes, said, “I will tell you to go back and start (policy review) right away.” “I will let you know the results later,” he responded.

After the meeting, President Lee was seen taking selfies with attendees, saying, "My wife told me to take a picture."

Meanwhile, after the meeting, President Lee attended the official 'Lumière Summit' luncheon with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Blue House Chief Spokesperson Kang Yu-jeong said in a written briefing.

At the luncheon, President Lee paid tribute to all attendees who are active in the development of the film and video industry and delivered the message, "Let attendees with diverse cultural backgrounds work together to blossom the value of diversity and brighten the future."