The purpose of this study is to analyze the possibilities and limitations of ‘Inter-Asian Film Community’. This study announce a statement, which is 〈Globalism and Localism of East Asian Films〉 at the ‘Busan Cinema Forum’ in the 16th Busan International Film Festival.
This study will discuss four points to explore ‘Asian film community’. Firstly, will examine the present condition of exchanges and reception of the Korean film study in Asia through statistical reports. Secondly, will provide an analysis of Korean films, image formation in Asian films, and possibilities of film community. Thirdly, categorizing and analyzing Asian film exchanges, which are ‘Market-friendly film’, ‘governmentalist film’, ‘Natural-occurrence’, Fouthly, provide realistic alternatives for ‘Asian film community’.
There are obvious obstacles that hinder the formation of Asian community through film, which are nationalism, historical debates, territorial problem, cultural conflicts, unbalanced levels of economic development.
The Asian film community faces many obstacles: government and patriotism intervene where cultural actions areneeded, ethnic nationalism intrudes where cultural tolerance is necessary, and regulation is rampant in places where cultural freedom should be prominent.
I’d like to offer a few specific ideas to realize the ‘Asian film community’. Firstly, need to advance toward the more joint productions. Secondly, need to invigorate the exchange programs, starting with the Asian film festivals. Thirdly, need to academic exchange programs in Asia, which are jointly developing a curriculum on Asian film history, researching the theory of traditional Asian aesthetics, establishing joint degree programs, etc.
The ‘Asian film community’ is a cultural community that transcends different political system, levels of economic development, races, nationality, etc, and aspires toward mutual respect, equality, and peace. It is political reflction that acknowledges to surpass the issues of political system and natioanal-state. And, it is a cultural realization that affirms the influences of market system, yet focuses on the cultural essence. It is an open space for discussing diversity, which refuses a homogenous cultural identity and community, and it is a democratic action, initiated by those who enjoy film instead of government or elite intellectuals.