`Diving Bell` stirs controversy at film festival

"Diving bell" is stirring controversy at the 19th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). The specialized equipment was drafted for but hardly used in the widely-criticized rescue and recovery operation in the Sewol ferry sinking. The Diving Bell was introduced as a new hope for diving equipment initially, allowing 20 consecutive hours of rescue operations, yet ended as a complete failure, then disappeared. This documentary runs for 77 minutes and depicts the process of the rise and fall of the Diving Bell. It was shot by former MBC journalist Lee Sang-ho, who widely promoted the Diving Bell at Paengmok port.

It is their prerogative to make documentaries or films, but it is hard to understand why the BIFF screened this documentary. This topic was more than just an issue and ended as an incident that defrauded the public, but it is also below par for an international film festival with 19 years behind it. Busan Mayor Suh Byung-soo expressed objection to airing the documentary. The bereaved families of victims in the Sewol tragedy also demanded the BIFF to stop airing the documentary, saying the documentary where the Diving Bell wasted precious time for rescue was breaking their hearts all over again. Yet the BIFF organizers are unyielding.

The official Facebook image of this BIFF, which will stay open into October 11, was the yellow ribbon expressing the public’s hopes for the students who were on the Sewol ferry. Film industry people numbering 1,123 will announce a declaration demanding the legislation of a special Sewol law with powers to subpoena information and prosecute for a thorough investigation and punishment of those responsible. It is said prominent film industry people, including Kim Ki-duk, Park Chan-wook, Song Kang-ho, Kim Hye-soo, and Mun So-ri took part. Before that, some film industry people accompanied the bereaved families in hunger strikes at the Gwanghwamun protest site. It hints that the airing of the Diving Bell was no accident.

This incident has taken the spotlight away from films, including the opening and closing films, which should have taken center stage at the BIFF. Liberty of expression should be respected but the quality of films is important. The Gwangju Biennale aired a film titled “Sewol May,” portraying a puppet president by artist Hong Seong-dam. Upon objections raised by the city of Gwangju, Hong changed the caricature to a chicken, but it ended up being put on hold. Culture and arts exhibitions that are heavily political can be inevitably tarnished. We hope the BIFF, which has established itself on the global stage, will not demolish the efforts that had been made for its success.