‘Parasite' producer Barunson E&A to co-produce film with Japan

Barunson E&A, the South Korean studio best known for producing Parasite, has an upcoming feature in the pipeline with Japan.

Speaking on a panel at TIFFCOM, CEO Yoonhee Choi revealed she is currently “producing a co-production with Japan”. No further details were revealed but Choi said: “Japan and Korea are neighbouring countries that know each other well, so we can create a story that is suitable for both countries and spread it globally.”

She also praised the Japanese production industry for its globally competitive and “very high level” of filmmakers and crew.

“In Korea, it has become very difficult to gather funds domestically,” she said, of the going challenges being faced by the South Korean film industry. “Being able to receive investment from other countries by creating joint projects [means] the number of co-productions is increasing.”

When asked about co-producing with other countries, Choi cited Indonesia. “I think [well known] Indonesian films have been mostly horror films until now, but I feel diversity is emerging and I’m feeling the possibility within that diversity,” she said.

Barunson E&A recently signed a two-year deal with Indonesia’s Joko Anwar, which will begin with supernatural thriller Ghost In The Cell.

Also speaking on a panel was producer Shinya Kawai, whose credits include Yi Yi, which played in Competition at Cannes in 2000, and influential Japanese horror Ring.

Kawai confirmed that he has a project in development with an Italian team, based around the nascent Japan-Italy co-production treaty.

Though he said it was “a bit of a surprise” that a treaty has not yet been signed with South Korea, Kawai said this kind of “joint policy” was necessary. “If such [policies] can become normal, I think very interesting and various projects will be borne,” he added.

“People are very skilled, so I believe it is important to work with other countries to skilfully shape [productions].”