Film Organizations Oppose Theater Operating Hour Restrictions, Urge "Maintain Current Policy"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] As strengthened quarantine measures limit movie theater operating hours to 10 p.m. starting from the 18th, the film industry has opposed this and urged to maintain the current hours.

The film organizations, including Pgk Korea Film Producers Association, DGK Korea Film Directors Association Board, the Korea Film Importers and Distributors Association, the Korea Scenario Writers Association, and the Screening Theater Association (hereinafter referred to as film organizations), stated in a press release on the 16th, "Considering the reality, we fully sympathize with and support the move to strengthen social distancing," but also expressed, "When adjusting operating hours of multi-use facilities, please recognize exceptions considering the unique characteristics of theaters and the film industry."

The film organizations said, "Due to the COVID-19 pandemic lasting over two years, the damage to the film industry has snowballed. Domestic audiences, which approached 230 million in 2019 before the pandemic, sharply dropped to about 60 million last year, and a similar level is expected this year," adding, "The cumulative damage amount within the film industry is immeasurable. However, there has been no proper compensation for these damages."

They continued, "Despite the sharp decline in audiences due to COVID-19, theaters have continued their business activities. The moment theaters close, the minimum space to screen Korean films disappears, which is feared to cause tremendous repercussions on the survival of the entire film industry."

Furthermore, they asserted, "To create a safe viewing environment, theaters have applied quarantine activities far stricter than government guidelines. Wearing masks inside screening rooms is basic, and eating is currently prohibited. Even with the application of the quarantine pass allowing entry only to those fully vaccinated, theaters voluntarily enforce spaced seating," emphasizing, "All these measures prove that theaters are relatively safe spaces against COVID-19."

The government announced strengthened quarantine measures from 0:00 on the 18th to January 2, 2022, for 16 days, including further reductions in private gathering sizes and operating hour restrictions. Movie theaters, classified as multi-use facilities, are considered relatively low risk and thus their operating hours are limited until 10 p.m. (22:00).

The film organizations appealed, "If the operating hour restriction of 10 p.m. is applied as in the existing level 4 social distancing, considering the screening time of films, it will be almost impossible to start screenings after 7 p.m."

They reiterated, "Reducing the number of movie showings seriously infringes on the public's enjoyment of cultural life, and by blocking film releases, damage will spread throughout the film industry, potentially leading to a domino-like collapse of the film industry."

Additionally, they emphasized, "During the COVID-19 pandemic, theaters and the film industry have faithfully followed government policies, but what returned was a desperate dark time. We now request that the minimum survival conditions of the film industry be guaranteed. Maintaining the current operating hours of theaters is indeed the minimum survival condition for the film industry."

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