Korean films on modern history walk line between fact, fiction

The controversy surrounding the historical thriller “The Assassin(s)” is the latest example of how Korean films depicting the country’s turbulent modern history can become flashpoints far beyond the cinema. From military dictatorships and political assassinations to Cold War operations, filmmakers have repeatedly faced disputes over how far artistic license can stretch when stories involve real people and events. Reactions have ranged from accusations of ideological bias and historical distortion to legal attempts to stop films from being shown. One of the most notable cases involved “The President’s Last Bang,” director Im Sang-soo’s 2005 black comedy about the assassination of President Park Chung-hee by his intelligence chief, Kim Jae-gyu, on Oct. 26, 1979. Before its release, Park’s son Park Ji-man sought a court injunction to block the film, arguing that its depiction of his father damaged his reputation. Unlike many later films inspired by actual political events, “The President’s Last Bang” used the real names of Park and other central figures. Another legal di