Content overview: “Hur Jin-ho Thanks Singapore Festival for Defending Freedom of Expression as ‘The Assassin(”. South Korean director Hur Jin-ho expressed gratitude to the Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) for protecting artistic freedom as his political thriller “The Assassin(s)” opened the festival’s 37th edition on Wednesday. The screening came two weeks after a conservative opposition party in South Korea requested the festival pull the film, raising concerns about censorship. Hur thanked SGIFF for safeguarding freedom of expression, highlighting the festival’s commitment to showing uncensored works.
SGIFF chair Boo Junfeng reinforced this stance, stating, “We refuse to show anything that has been censored.” The controversy underscores the film’s sensitive political themes and the importance of independent film festivals in upholding creative liberty. The festival’s decision to open with “The Assassin(s)” signals a strong defense of artistic integrity in the face of political pressure. The full version stays on the original page, which this listing opens directly.