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South Korean Activists Call For boycott Of Latest James Bond Movie
The protesters said the movie distorted North Korea as an evil regime, and the whole Korean peninsula as a backward nation. It also comes at a sensitive time over fears of a possible war amid North Korea's nuclear standoff. And many are uncomfortable with the scene where the demilitarised zone is blown up as Seoul lies just 50 kilometres from the border. One Korean said: "Right now, a war may even break out here. We think it is very dangerous to be showing a movie that makes it look like the war is a reality."
Koreans are also angry with one scene where Bond had sex in a Buddhist temple
Koreans are also angry with one scene where Bond had sex in a Buddhist temple
10 January 2003 1109 hrs (SST) 0309 hrs (GMT)
South Koreans call for boycott of latest James Bond movie
By Korea Bureau Chief Lim Yun Suk
Despite escalating tension on the Korean peninsula over Pyongyang's nuclear programme, South and North Koreans seem to have found a common enemy - the latest James Bond 007 adventure 'Die Another Day'.
The movie has spurred a boycott movement in South Korea where many felt it was demeaning to both Koreas, while depicting the United States as a hero.
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Outside a theatre in Seoul on the opening day of the movie, protesters held placards urging viewers not to watch the movie.
In the movie, James Bond was seen as having intercepted a North Korean officer who is planning an invasion of South Korea.
Bond is later captured, imprisoned and tortured in communist North Korea.
The protesters said the movie distorted North Korea as an evil regime, and the whole Korean peninsula as a backward nation.
It also comes at a sensitive time over fears of a possible war amid North Korea's nuclear standoff.
And many are uncomfortable with the scene where the demilitarised zone is blown up as Seoul lies just 50 kilometres from the border.
One Korean said: "Right now, a war may even break out here. We think it is very dangerous to be showing a movie that makes it look like the war is a reality."
Koreans are also angry with one scene where Bond had sex in a Buddhist temple.
Critics said it was demeaning to South Korea, a largely Buddhist country.
Despite calls for a boycott, some staunch fans of the James Bond series said they would not miss the movie.
One Korean girl said: "It's not real. It's only a movie and so I don't think there is anything to be worried about."
Lee Joo Sung, Head of 20th Century Fox in Korea, said: "We have met all the legal requirements needed to show this movie, and so we have no plans at all to stop screening it."
The company said South Korea was the 10th biggest foreign box office territory for US pictures.
Ticket sales for 'Die Another Day' since it opened on New Year's eve are not available, but media reports said it ranked as one of the top five movies for local audiences.
But due to sour public sentiment, several cinemas in South Korea have since cancelled showing the movie.
And protesters said they would continue with their boycott campaigns.
Civic groups have threatened to launch a nationwide boycott campaign this weekend outside some of the 140 cinemas across the country.
South Koreans call for boycott of latest James Bond movie
By Korea Bureau Chief Lim Yun Suk
Despite escalating tension on the Korean peninsula over Pyongyang's nuclear programme, South and North Koreans seem to have found a common enemy - the latest James Bond 007 adventure 'Die Another Day'.
The movie has spurred a boycott movement in South Korea where many felt it was demeaning to both Koreas, while depicting the United States as a hero.
Advertisement
Outside a theatre in Seoul on the opening day of the movie, protesters held placards urging viewers not to watch the movie.
In the movie, James Bond was seen as having intercepted a North Korean officer who is planning an invasion of South Korea.
Bond is later captured, imprisoned and tortured in communist North Korea.
The protesters said the movie distorted North Korea as an evil regime, and the whole Korean peninsula as a backward nation.
It also comes at a sensitive time over fears of a possible war amid North Korea's nuclear standoff.
And many are uncomfortable with the scene where the demilitarised zone is blown up as Seoul lies just 50 kilometres from the border.
One Korean said: "Right now, a war may even break out here. We think it is very dangerous to be showing a movie that makes it look like the war is a reality."
Koreans are also angry with one scene where Bond had sex in a Buddhist temple.
Critics said it was demeaning to South Korea, a largely Buddhist country.
Despite calls for a boycott, some staunch fans of the James Bond series said they would not miss the movie.
One Korean girl said: "It's not real. It's only a movie and so I don't think there is anything to be worried about."
Lee Joo Sung, Head of 20th Century Fox in Korea, said: "We have met all the legal requirements needed to show this movie, and so we have no plans at all to stop screening it."
The company said South Korea was the 10th biggest foreign box office territory for US pictures.
Ticket sales for 'Die Another Day' since it opened on New Year's eve are not available, but media reports said it ranked as one of the top five movies for local audiences.
But due to sour public sentiment, several cinemas in South Korea have since cancelled showing the movie.
And protesters said they would continue with their boycott campaigns.
Civic groups have threatened to launch a nationwide boycott campaign this weekend outside some of the 140 cinemas across the country.
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