Feud Over Artistic Independence Threatens Asian Film Fest

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The future of Asia's largest, most-awaited film festival is in question as local filmmakers threaten to boycott the red carpet over what they view as government interference. Officials of the Busan International Film Festival say the feud between organizers and the host city Busan, its largest financial sponsor, started two years ago when the festival's program displeased government officials. In March, local film professionals issued an ultimatum, threatening to boycott the event unless the mayor resigns and, among other things, unless the festival's rules are amended to ensure its independence. "If the Busan city government still believes that they 'own' the festival just because they are the biggest sponsor ...