France_Minister_Interview.jpg Pellerin said movies are a great medium of cultural cooperation since both countries have strong film industries. But she argued collaboration must be expanded to other forms of art in the future.



The cultural exchange between South Korea and France has already entered a practical stage, though further partnerships among young artists and business ventures should be encouraged, France's culture minister said Thursday. 

"South Korea and France's co-production of films is a case in point," Fleur Pellerin told Yonhap News Agency in an interview ahead of a reception held at the French Embassy in Seoul. "Director Bong Joon-ho's 'Snowpiercer' is a good example. We'll continue to look into better ways to utilize our agreement on film co-production and update that agreement." 

"South Korea's movie industry is highly advanced and dynamic and so is France's. Both citizens also value cultural diversity," she said. "Next, we should boost partnerships in pure art. We should increase opportunities in which young artists from our countries get to better understand one another." 

She also called for further business exchange in the same manner. 

The reception was held to celebrate the "Years 2015-2016 of Korea-France Bilateral Exchanges," or the years designated to promoting cultural exchange between the two countries. 

On Friday, she visited the southern port city of Busan to meet with Lee Yong-kwan and Kang Soo-youn, co-executive directors of the ongoing Busan International Film Festival there. She later discussed ways to facilitate film co-production between the two countries during a meeting with Korean filmmakers and producers. 

Pellerin vowed to vitalize film co-production between the countries during a news conference at the Busan festival, saying both citizens value cultural diversity. 

"The two nations inked the film collaboration agreement in 2006 but only two films have so far been produced under the pact," she said. "I and Korean film industry figures decided to organize a working group to discuss ways to vitalize film collaboration." 

She also expressed hope that more South Korea-France co-production will be made on the occasion of the 2015-2016 exchange years. 

After the news conference, she introduced two films to the audience before their screenings during the festival as part of "My French Cinema," a special screening of 10 select French film classics prepared to mark the festival's 20th anniversary. She also hosted the French Night event and decorated South Korean filmmaker Hong Sang-soo with a French culture-arts honor. 

Pellerin visited South Korea ahead of French President Francois Hollande's trip next month, with South Korean President Park Geun-hye scheduled to reciprocate next year.