Reports of the solidarity event for Save Mediact

On February 21, Korean independent filmmaker, Kim Mi Rye visited MediR in Tokyo to lecture on a general history and current situation about Mediact. She also shared her own experiences in independent filmmaking in South Korea.

She firstly told us about the relationship with Mediact. A story that caught my attention was that she decided to make her own film after her divorce. she was completely an amateur filmmaker and did not have enough money to buy a video camera at that time. So the supports of Mediact was lifesaver for her in terms of both film equipments and media education. Even when she filmed "Waebak", she rented a video camera for long time shoot. Moreover, staffs of Mediact advised her about technical matter, sounds recording, improving quality of images. And she mentioned that the staffs of Indiespace were like comrades to discuss about filmmaking.

Next, she talked about her own film. For example, about how to make relationship with subjected persons, family, unions,women...... See More I assume that the most important discussion of this seminar was about the conception of "independence". One of the audiences asked her like this;
"When I attend at international media meetings, sometimes this kind of issue occurs. If you receive funds from government, it doesn't mean "independence" strictly. Possibilities of change in media policy result in instability of one's media activities. On the other hand, taxes should be used for public interests like public access, media education for general public. How do you think about this issue?"
Kim Mi Rye answered that taxes should be managed for public interest as a matter of course, both Korean media activists and government did that justly thus far. But this time, decision the government made was exceptional and extraordinary. The chairman of KOFIC stated that he canceled public access and wanted to develop "pure art" in Korea. He even dislikes using the word "independent". All of new management groups of Mediact, Indiespace never use "independent" as their group name. Among independent filmmakers in Korea, they discussed that they should make alternative "pure independent" space referring to Suyu+Nomo which is alternative researcher's spaces for more than 10 years. She also lost funds for making her film, so she feels uneasiness.
I was impressed by Korean independent filmmakers’ network that she told us. Kim Dongwan and any former directors helped her, and she is now helping younger directors and comrades.

Munenori Yamakawa