Despite calls from 109 PPP lawmakers for it to be withdrawn, Singapore International Film Festival says ‘The Assassins’ will remain its opening film

[Financial News] The film ‘The Assassins’ will screen for local audiences as scheduled as the opening film of the 37th Singapore International Film Festival. As the People Power Party called for the selection to be withdrawn, the festival said it respected the film’s creative vision and its independent selection process.
The Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) said in an official statement on the 7th, “We are aware of the discussions surrounding ‘The Assassins’” and added, “We respect the creative vision of the filmmakers, and the film will remain the opening film of the 37th Singapore International Film Festival.”
Earlier, on the 6th, the People Power Party sent a letter in the name of its floor leader, Jeong Jeom-sik, to Jeremy Chua, executive director of the Singapore International Film Festival, urging the festival to withdraw its selection of the film as the opening film.
In the letter, the People Power Party said, “We deeply regret the Singapore International Film Festival’s selection of the film ‘The Assassins’ as its opening film,” and added, “On behalf of all 109 People Power Party lawmakers, we urge you to reconsider that decision immediately.” It went on to ask the festival to “give further consideration to whether conferring the special authority of an ‘opening film’ on ‘The Assassins,’ which distorts a historical tragedy involving real victims and bereaved families, is in keeping with the values of the Singapore International Film Festival.”
The festival said that day, “The filmmakers have made clear that the film was not made to draw historical conclusions, distort facts, or serve any political purpose,” adding, “In this context, SGIFF also wishes to present the film as a work of art.”
‘The Assassins’ previously had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
[email protected] Shin Jin-a Reporter