Through a tie-up with Cine Qua Non Korea, Creek & River Korea will handle licensing of theatrical distribution, broadcast and remake rights to CQN's entire library of films.
Official announcement of the collaboration came yesterday following the Feb 9 broadcast of CQN-distributed documentary Dear Pyongyang on Korea 's largest broadcast network, KBS. Licensing of the Netpac Award and Sundance Special Jury Prize-winning film was the first deal closed through the partnership.
CQN produced 2006 domestic hit Hula Girls, which was Japan's official Oscar entry for Best Foreign Language Film. The company also operates five cinemas in Tokyo and Kobe and a multiplex in Seoul 's Chungmuro district, where it screens both Japanese and Korean films. CQN Japan also distributes non-Asian titles such as Jellyfish and The Wind That Shakes The Barley.
CQN president and executive producer Lee Bong Ou, whowas born in Japan of Korean descent, has been working to bridge the two territories since establishing CQN in 1989, later distributing early Korean new wave hits Shiri and JSA.
With both companies operating in both territories, they perceive an imbalance in the diffusion of contents. While Korean dramas and films have continued to enjoy wide and constant distribution in Japan, aside from flashy day-and-date releases of films such as last week's L: Change The World, Japanese films still struggle to gain a foothold in Korea.
Established in 1990, Creek & River Inc is enganged in contents and rights-related consulting, outsourcing and creator representation.
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