‘Okja’ director on South Korean cinema boycott

South Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho has an answer to where the controversy over the theatrical releases of Netflix movies started: his cinematic ambition.

Bong said on Wednesday that while Netflix never pushed for the theatrical release of his Okja, he did so people could see it on the big screen. The controversy has hit home in South Korea, where the top three movie chains are refusing the film’s simultaneous theatrical and Netflix debuts.

Okja was one of two Netflix titles that competed at the Cannes Film Festival last month. But after an outcry from French exhibitors, Cannes changed its rules so only theatrically released films are accepted.

Bong said Cannes should have sorted out the rule before inviting Okja. He said directors are too busy making films to study French law.