Will the Paid Preview Screening Disguised as the 'Tenet' Premiere Proceed Amid Controversy?

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] "Paid preview screenings held before the official release date constitute irregular screenings that undermine fair competition in the screening sector."

The Korean Film Council (KOFIC) stated this position and announced that discount ticket benefits cannot be applied to the movie 'Tenet.' Although disguised as a premiere screening, it is considered a paid preview screening in reality.

Previously, 'Tenet' was scheduled to hold a press preview screening before its release on the 19th to show the film to domestic reporters, but the event was canceled due to the resurgence of COVID-19. Additionally, on the 20th, director Christopher Nolan and lead actors John David Washington and Elizabeth Debicki were supposed to have a live conference and video chat with the domestic press, but this was also canceled. Nevertheless, they insisted on proceeding with the paid preview screening under the name of a premiere screening, arguing that the press preview is a voluntary event while the premiere screening is involuntary.

Is it reasonable to distinguish between voluntary and involuntary when both screenings gather many people in theaters under the same quarantine measures? Reporters attending the press preview have clear identities and the event is held in an environment where mask-wearing and seat distancing are observed. It seems more appropriate to cancel the paid preview screening, where it is relatively difficult to identify actual attendees.

Despite this, the 'Tenet' side took the stance of giving up the press preview but refusing to give up the paid preview screening. With the premiere screening applying the same ticket price just three days before the release, it has been criticized as a trick to advance the release date and labeled as an irregular release. Behind this hardline stance, which is hard to understand, appears to be profit. Paid preview screenings are events where many theaters can also earn profits. Since screening schedules are flexible, the atmosphere welcomes the release of 'Tenet,' which has long been anticipated as a major release. It would have been regrettable to give up a Hollywood blockbuster that could reverse the frozen theater atmosphere?even if it is a paid preview screening conducted irregularly.

Everyone in the film industry is struggling due to COVID-19. Regardless of peak or off-peak seasons, in this difficult situation, a paid preview screening is essentially advancing the release by about three days. Therefore, it cannot avoid criticism as an irregular release. Nevertheless, the 'Tenet' side promoted through an official press release that "we deeply feel the urgent need for Hollywood films to attract more audiences to theaters and have chosen an innovative method." Whose innovation is this 'innovative method' for?mental victory or something else?

Amid ongoing controversies, will the paid preview screening of 'Tenet' proceed as planned? Despite the elevation of social distancing to level 2 due to COVID-19, Warner Bros. Korea maintains its position to proceed without changes.

The Korean Film Council (hereafter KOFIC) announced on the 18th through official letters to theaters and distributors that "due to the elevation of social distancing to level 2 in Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon areas, gatherings of more than 50 people indoors and more than 100 people outdoors are prohibited."

They added, "Accordingly, from 0:00 on August 19, please prohibit preview screenings with more than 50 participants in movie theaters. However, general film screenings are allowed."

Earlier, KOFIC had expressed the view that the 'Tenet' premiere screening is a paid preview screening and would not apply discount ticket benefits. Since preview screenings with more than 50 participants are prohibited, it remains to be seen whether the event will proceed as scheduled. If it is forced to proceed, theaters are complying with quarantine guidelines such as temperature checks, health questionnaires and visitor logs, and seat distancing, but everyone hopes that no COVID-19 cases will arise.

Meanwhile, according to CGV on the same day, for the Yongsan I'Park Mall IMAX theater screening 'Tenet,' about 70% of the total seats in the prime section were initially available, but this will be adjusted to about half of the total seats. All sold-out seats will be refunded and then re-adjusted for rebooking.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.