In recognition of the 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean War (1950 – 1953), and to celebrate the end of the 2010 Korean Film Festival, a special film screening was held in Auckland last night.
In recognition of the 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean War (1950 – 1953), and to celebrate the end of the 2010 Korean Film Festival, a special film screening was held in Auckland last night.
Prime Minister John Key and the Ambassador and Consul General of the Republic of Korea, as well as Korean war veterans living in New Zealand, attended the screening of 71 in the Fire – a Korean War movie based on a true story.
Auckland Council Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse also attended the screening and says the council is proud to be one of the festival sponsors.
“The council is honoured to be involved in the Korean Film Festival, particularly with this year’s special emphasis on the 60th anniversary of the Korean War.
“Auckland has a large Korean community of around 25,000 and two sister city partnerships with Korea so it’s fantastic to be able to recognise Korean culture, history and language through the highly accessible and contemporary medium of film,” says Councillor Hulse.
Cr Hulse also says the film festival is vital for showcasing New Zealand to the burgeoning Korean film industry which boasts annual box office takings of more than US $1billion.
“Events like this help up create greater ties with the Korean film industry, which like our own, is fast achieving world wide acclaim.
“Already we are seeing increasing interest from Korean filmmakers coming to Auckland to shoot Korean productions. Warriors Way, a recent $40 million-plus Korean film was shot entirely in New Zealand.
“Similarly, more and more Korean television commercials and dramas are shooting in Auckland.
“This is good news for our economy,” say Cr Hulse.
In 2008, the creative industries had approximately 20,512 employees in the Auckland region.
The fourth biennial Korean Film Festival screened in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch between 25 November and 1 December 2010.
The festival, which is organised in close partnership with the Korean government, and the Korean Film Council (KOFIC), was previously sponsored by Waitakere City Council. Auckland Council continues to sponsor the 2010 festival.
ENDS
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