#ISUPPORTBIFF_Alberto BARBERA 알베르토 바르베라
Within the international film festivals from all over the world, BIFF is in an admirable position.
There are only 5 or 6 film festivals in the world which are important.
Among them, Cannes, Berlinale, and Viennale are the 3 in Europe,
that are the oldest and the most prestigious film festivals.
Another is Toronto International Film Festival, held in the American continent.
And there is BIFF in Asia, which has become the key place over the years.
This has happened thanks to the skills of programmers, festival directors, and founders of BIFF.
BIFF has not only promoted Korean Cinema and lighted on famous Asian auteurs, young filmmakers, and talented directors, but also built a bridge between Asia and Western countries.
That is, it presented the most critical films from the United States, South America, Europe, and so on in Asia, especially in Korea.
Such roles and works may take risks
because sometimes a film festival should screen a film that is controversial or radical.
At times, such position cannot be shared with every single person,
but this is a part of democracy.
Freedom of expression is one of the basic values of all democracy,
and the reputation and trust of a film festival is based on keeping the freedom of expression and such values.
In this context, BIFF has been playing an extraordinary role like other film festivals around the world.
Like other festival directors around the world, BIFF also has been taking reponsibility for itself.
In the past, Venice International Film Festival has screened critical films to the government officials.
For example, last year, we screened Director Sabina Guzzanti's The State-Mafia Pact.
This film includes criticism on Italian government that accepted illegal negotiation
and handed in glove with Sicilian Mafia.
A trial was going on regarding the context of the film,
but of course we did not stop the screening though some politicians were being tried.
A film festival exists to respect the freedom of expression of creators
and also to provide independent spaces for discussions and hearing opposite opinions sometimes.
But this space should not be interrupted by any political censorship.
Freedom of expression of creators is related to the autonomy and independence of festival programmers,
and they must not be affected by any political opinions in their decision making.
Programmers take responsibilities and at times they make risky and painful choices.
It is controversial choices but that is the only way to make the great festival and the only way to ensure the festivals' credibility, reputation, and future.
This is the path BIFF has followed so far, and I wish it would remain the same in the future.
For this reason, Venice International Film Festival fully supports BIFF, its programmers, and its festival director.
We are on the side of Mr. Lee and his collaborators.
We hope that Korean politicians would realize it is a wrong choice to shut off the voices of BIFF
which greatly contributed to the diffusion of Korean cinema culture throughout the world over the years.
