#ISUPPORTBIFF_SODA Kazuhiro 소다 카즈히로
I'm Soda Kazuhiro and a documentary filmmaker. Freedom of expression is the most important and one of the absolutely essential rights in democratic society. This is because we could criticize violation of other rights as long as freedom of expression is still inviolate so is freedom of criticism. We could make situations better due to freedom of criticism, at least we have freedom of expression. However, once we lose these freedoms, nothing can be retrieved after happening. Things would come to an end. This is why the freedom of expression is the most important. Of course the other rights of human are also necessary yet they can be somehow defended if we are free to express. In this, it is really important to protect freedom of expression which is very vulnerable. Politicians those who are men in power dislike to be criticezed, thus trying to supress the freedom, one way or another. We should stand up to the suppression every single moment. Busan International Film Festival is now confronted with a tight situation after trying to defend one selection among hundreds in its programme. Some could say, 'Is it a big deal to cancel one screening to compromise with political interference?' or 'There wouldn't be any problem if the festival does what the city council/government wants.' but the point is that it is very important whether the festival can defend even one screening or not. One step back causes endless retreat. Therefore, I sincerely respect BIFF to defend its freedom of programme selection.
