Cinema Year Book of Japan 1938 (1938)

MOTION-PICTURE PRODUCTION IN KOREA Tsuneya Ota Motion -picture production in Korea has already passed the twenty-second year of its history. During this period it has sent to market about one hundred and fifteen films, among which may be counted some dozen talkie films. However, the film production business in Korea is not yet established on a firm basis. More specifically, the fund for film production is collected for each single production, and each time a new name is given to it. But with the completion of the film the organization is usually dissolved. This is undoubtedly due, on the one hand, to the poor demand in the cinema market, natural in a place where both financial and cultural standards of the people are comparatively low, and, on the other hand, to the scarcity of conscientious, enthusiastic and able directors and producers. But the extensive advancement achieved in recent years throughout the Peninsula, of which Central Korea forms the backbone, has given strong impetus to the film production industry. And production under a joint fund from Japan proper and Korea is now being carried out in various quarters. Film production as a business enterprise, therefore, will soon be on a firm foundation. To be specially noticed in this connection is the artistic value of a film entitled Tabiji (The Journey), all sound, produced and released in May, 1937, and the financial success it has scored. This work, presented by the Seiho Eiga-En (Sacred Peak Cinema Garden ) with the cooperation of the Shinko Kinema Co., has greatly heightened the interest of the people with regard to Korean film production, not only in Korea, but also in Japan proper. This Tabiji will be exported to Europe and America. Productions which now enjoy a certain amount of stability as business enterprises are the following three : the Chosen Hassei Pliga Keijo Satsueijo (Korea Sound Cinema Co., Keijo Laboratory), the Chosen Eiga Seisakujo (Korea Cinema Production Co.) and the Seiho Eiga-En (Sacred Peak Cinema Garden ). Of the above three the Chosen Eiga Seisakujo, though it was not established until September, 1937, has already built its studio at Giseifu in the suburbs of Keijo (Seoul), and joined hands with the Seiho Eiga-Pln, which is said to be the only organization of cinema people in Korea — directors, actors and actresses, and cameramen— and is now making preparations to launch on an active production schedule of sound films. The Toho has extended its helping hand to this organization and lias agreed with it by contract on a joint working basis. The Keijo Satsueijo lias its studio in Keijo (Seoul) ; it produced only one sound film called Go Mu-jo (Five Dream Women) as the sole product of the year of 1937. THE JOURNEY— Shinko Picture 1 lie films produced in Korea during 1 93 7 are as listed below: * Junjo Kaikyb (The Strait of Innocent Heart) (silent) laikyu Satsueijo production Original Story by Kan Taikun, Sce 49