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A poster for the documentary “Spy Nation” (provided by at9Film)

Third in reservation rate; tenth in number of theaters. The film “Spy Nation” set an unusual record with its Oct. 13 premiere.

A documentary on the fabrication of espionage charges by the National Intelligence Service (NIS), “Spy Nation” hit theaters with screens at CGV and Lotte, two major cinema chains. But low screen numbers and scheduling at unpopular time slots have had many accusing the theaters of trying to keep showings to a minimum.

Before its official release, “Spy Nation” received over 400 million won (US$354,000) in crowdfunding support, with close to 20,000 people nationwide attending advance screenings. CGV and Lotte Cinema both declined to hold advance screenings, leading some to claim the big theater chains were shying away from showing a film with politically sensitive subject matter.

As of Oct. 12 - a day ahead of its premiere - “Spy Nation” ranked third for reservations after “Luck-Key” and “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.” But the three top multiplex chains combined accounted for just 100 screens actually showing it. By Oct. 13, the film was appearing at 26 each at CGV and Lotte Cinema and 40 at Megabox. CGV assigned three to five times as many screens to other films debuting the same day, including “Bastille Day,” “The Accountant,” and “A Quiet Dream” - even though their reservation rates were far lower. Apart from “diversity theaters,” most screening times were late at night or early in the morning.

“The decision was based purely on profitability, and we hope it will not be interpreted politically,” said CGV.

Cho Seong-jin, head of the chain’s public relations team, explained, “Screening theater decisions are based on various data on film recognition and audience viewership intentions.”

“By way of analogy, it’s roughly similar to the currently showing independent film ‘Woojoo’s Christmas.‘ If seat shares and reservation rates increase on the weekend, we plan to increase the number of screens,” Cho added.

Lotte Cinema acknowledged cutting the number of screens from the originally pledged 31 to 26, but said the decision was “based on conditions at individual theaters and had no other intentions.”

“We view reservation rates as significant, and we will work to increase the number of screens,” it said.

But the producers of “Spy Nation” countered that the cinemas’ aim was to lower box office numbers by not granting screens for its early run.

“Back when ‘The Truth Shall Not Sink with Sewol’ [a documentary on the Sewol ferry sinking] was playing, CGV refused to show it because the trailer had a low rate of hits. Now it’s taking issue with name recognition,” said director Choi Seung-ho.

“But it’s absurd to claim that ‘Spy Nation’ has lower recognition than other films. There’s no other way to look at it but as a way of trying to keep the people in power happy,” Choi added.

By Nam Eun-joo, staff reporter

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