Latest news with #TheSympathizer
Korea Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Park Chan-wook expelled from Writers Guild of America over 2023 strike violations
'Oldboy' director loses access to Hollywood studios, but Venice-bound 'No Other Choice' and future Korean productions unaffected The Writers Guild of America has expelled director Park Chan-wook and writer Don McKellar for continuing work on HBO's "The Sympathizer" during the 2023 writers' strike. The announcement, made public Friday, marks one of the most high-profile disciplinary actions stemming from the 148-day work stoppage. The expulsion carries significant professional consequences for the "Oldboy" director as it encompasses virtually all scripted content produced by Hollywood's major players. Park is now barred from providing writing services on any WGA-covered productions, effectively excluding him from projects at Disney, Warner Bros., Netflix, HBO and other major studios that maintain collective bargaining agreements with the guild. Both Park and McKellar served as co-writers on the seven-episode limited series, which starred Hoa Xuande and Robert Downey Jr. and aired from April to May 2024. Neither appealed their expulsion, according to WGA West leadership. The guild did not specify which exact violations occurred, but confirmed the pair worked on the series during the strike period from May 2 to Sept. 27, 2023. Park's Venice-bound "No Other Choice" won't feel the sting, however. The black comedy — which Park directed and co-wrote with McKellar, Lee Kyoung-mi and Lee Ja-hye — is produced by South Korea's CJ ENM and will hit North American theaters through Neon. CJ ENM operates outside WGA jurisdiction as a foreign production company, while Neon, like fellow indie distributors A24 and Lionsgate, isn't among the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers members targeted during the strike. The South Korean filmmaker can continue working internationally and with non-signatory companies. Several prominent directors, including Quentin Tarantino, have successfully maintained careers outside guild membership. Park's ability to work as a director remains unrestricted, as the WGA governs only writing services. Academy Award eligibility also remains intact, as WGA membership is not required for Oscar consideration. However, Park's path to major US television projects appears effectively doomed. His previous American television work included directing BBC America/AMC's "The Little Drummer Girl" in 2018. The 2023 strike focused on artificial-intelligence protections, streaming residuals and minimum staffing requirements. The guild secured significant gains in its agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers in October. The WGA constitution permits expelled members to apply for readmission only through board action, which may include fines and additional conditions, according to the guild's bylaws.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Park Chan-wook booted off Writer's Guild of America
11 Aug – South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook was revealed to have been expelled from the Writers' Guild of America, alongside his co-scribe Don McKellar. Their wrongdoing? Writing on their HBO limited series, "The Sympathizer" during the 2023 writers' strike. The "Oldboy" director was reported to have written the series adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Viet Thanh Nguyen despite writers being directed not to work during the 148-day strike, and was one among the few writers who had since been booted off the guild. While other writers appealed the ruling, it was reported that neither Park nor McKellar have done the same. The HBO Max series, which earned Robert Downey Jr. an Emmy nomination last year, follows a North Vietnamese double agent (played by Hoa Xuande) who continues passing along information after moving to Southern California before the fall of Saigon. (Photo Source: Variety, LA Times)
Perth Now
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Park Chan-wook expelled from The Writers Guild of America
Park Chan-wook has been expelled from The Writers Guild of America. The Old Boy director, 61, was drummed out of the group as it has taken a firm stance on strike violations, and said Park and Don McKellar were no longer welcome in the organisation for working on their mini-series during the 2023 writers' walk-out. It said in a statement about Park and Don's expulsions: 'The board had decided that the disciplines should be made public.' Celebrated South Korean writer, director and producer Park also known for his film The Handmaiden, and Canadian actor and filmmaker Don McKellar, were both removed from the WGA for writing on the HBO miniseries The Sympathizer. The seven-episode series, starring Hoa Xuande and Robert Downey Jr., is based on the 2015 novel by Viet Thanh Nguyen and aired in 2024. The WGA confirmed neither Park nor McKellar appealed their expulsions. Anthony Cipriano has also faced significant disciplinary action – a suspension through May 1, 2026, a public censure, and a lifetime ban from serving as a strike captain for writing on The Last Breath, previously known as Untitled True Story Haunting – Thriller Project. The WGA revealed this was part of ongoing enforcement following the 2023 strike, with seven writers disciplined overall. Four writers were publicly identified after choosing to appeal, while three others – including Park, Don and Anthony – were only named recently. The guild's leadership expressed gratitude for the Strike Rules Compliance Committee, which reviewed dozens of allegations and forwarded cases to the board. It added in a statement: 'The board and the officers also thanked the members of the various trial committees, who heard testimony and delivered recommendations on discipline to the board. 'All of these members volunteered their time for the delicate but necessary task of holding writers accountable to fulfill their obligations to their fellow members under the Strike Rules, Working Rules and WGAW Constitution.' Park's upcoming Korean film No Other Choice is set to premiere at the Venice Film Festival later this month. Don, who shares a screenplay credit on that film with Park and collaborators Lee Kyoung-mi and Lee Ja-hye, is also known for his work on 1998's Last Night.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Korean Director Park Chan-wook Expelled from WGA Over Script Work on 'The Sympathizer' Amid Writers Strike
, the visionary behind gripping films like 'Oldboy' and 'The Handmaiden', recently found himself in hot water with the Writers Guild of America (WGA). According to Chosun Ilbo reports, he and Canadian collaborator were expelled for continuing script work on the HBO series 'The Sympathizer' right in the thick of the 2023 writers' strike. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This isn't a minor hiccup - the WGA is a major player with roughly 10,000 members, and being ousted means no access to guild-sanctioned projects. For someone like Park, who's dipped toes into international waters, this could cramp future Hollywood gigs where unions call the shots. It underscores how even acclaimed global talents must navigate strict labor rules when crossing into the US scene, adding a layer of real-world tension to the creative process. Reports from Variety confirm that seven people in total faced such disciplinary actions during that period, highlighting the guild's firm stance on solidarity. Breaking Down the Massive 2023 WGA Strike To understand the full picture, let's rewind to the 2023 WGA strike , which kicked off in May and dragged on until September. Writers were pushing back against low pay, unfair residuals from booming streaming platforms, and the looming threat of AI replacing human creativity in scriptwriting. This wasn't just a few picket lines; it paralysed several TV and film productions across the US, leaving sets empty and release dates in limbo. Industry estimates from Variety put the economic damage at over $3 billion - that's a staggering 25,000 crore INR, enough to fund multiple high-budget films or series that blend intense drama with cultural twists, much like the crossover stories we see gaining traction globally. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The strike's demands resonated with creative workers worldwide, emphasizing fair compensation in an era where digital content rules. It set important precedents for how unions enforce rules during disputes, ensuring that everyone from big-name directors to behind-the-scenes scribes plays by the book. Per industry experts at Variety, the fallout included delayed premieres and billions in lost wages, serving as a wake-up call for better protections against tech disruptions in storytelling. In the end, the resolution brought some wins for writers, but cases like Park's show how violations can lead to lasting consequences. Inside 'The Sympathizer' - The Controversial Series Park is Currently Producing At the core of this mess is 'The Sympathizer', an HBO miniseries adapted from Viet Thanh Nguyen's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. The story follows a North Vietnamese spy who relocates to the US after the Vietnam War, juggling espionage, identity conflicts, and dark humor in a tale of duality and migration. Park Chan-wook didn't just direct the first three episodes; he's also co-creator, co-showrunner, and producer alongside Don McKellar, making this a key project he's currently involved in producing. The star-studded cast includes Hoa Xuande as the lead, pulling off multiple roles with his signature flair, and adding depth to the ensemble. Premiering in 2024 to positive reviews, the series tackles heavy themes like war's aftermath and cultural clashes with a black comedy edge, earning praise for its fresh perspective on historical events. Critics noted its 95% Rotten Tomatoes score, highlighting Park's knack for blending thriller elements with emotional layers. However, the writing done during the strike sparked the expulsion, turning what was a celebrated production into a rule-breaking scandal. According to HBO details, the seven-episode run was produced by A24 and Rhombus Media, with Park's involvement extending to overseeing scripts and production processes. This irony - a spy story about hidden loyalties leading to real-life fallout - adds a meta twist that's almost too perfect, showing how art can collide with industry realities. Park Chan-wook's Upcoming Thriller and Career Momentum Not one to stay down, Park is already gearing up for his next big release, 'No Other Choice', a dark thriller marking his return after a three-year break since 'Decision to Leave' in 2022, which snagged him the Best Director award at Cannes. Based on Donald E. Westlake's novel 'The Ax', it follows a laid-off middle-aged man desperately hunting for a job, starring Lee Byung-hun and Son Ye-jin in lead roles, with a supporting cast including and Cha Seung-won. The film wrapped principal photography recently and is set to premiere at the Venice International Film Festival in competition, followed by opening the Busan International Film Festival in September 2025. The Hollywood Reporter suggests high anticipation for Park's signature style of psychological depth and visual mastery. This expulsion might tweak his Hollywood path, but it hasn't dimmed his global appeal - his films often cross cultural boundaries, inspiring remakes and fan bases everywhere. As per Box Office Mojo trends, Park's past works like 'The Handmaiden' have shown strong international performance, and this new project could follow suit, proving that creative hurdles often fuel even better storytelling.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Park Chan-wook expelled from WGA over strike rule violations over ‘The Sympathizer'
The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has expelled Park Chan-wook and Don McKellar for working on the HBO miniseries The Sympathizer during the 2023 writers' strike, according to Variety. The seven-episode series, which aired in 2024, starred Hoa Xuande and Robert Downey Jr. and was adapted from Viet Thanh Nguyen's 2015 novel of the same name. Park and McKellar co-created the show and were both credited as writers. According to the WGA, neither appealed the decision to remove them from the guild. The announcement was part of a broader update on disciplinary actions taken against members for strike rule violations. Anthony Cipriano was also suspended until May 1, 2026, for work on The Last Breath (formerly Untitled True Story Haunting—Thriller Project). Cipriano received a public censure and was permanently barred from serving as a strike captain. Park, 61, is an acclaimed South Korean filmmaker known for Oldboy (2003) and The Handmaiden (2016). His upcoming feature No Other Choice is set to premiere in competition at the Venice Film Festival later this month, with McKellar credited as a co-writer. McKellar, a Canadian actor and director, is best known for Last Night (1998). The WGA stated that it had previously disciplined seven other writers for strike-related violations, with some choosing to appeal. Friday's announcement identified three individuals who had not been previously named. In a memo to members, guild leadership said the board had 'decided that the disciplines should be made public' and thanked volunteers who served on the Strike Rules Compliance Committee. 'These members volunteered their time for the delicate but necessary task of holding writers accountable to fulfill their obligations to their fellow members,' the statement read. The WGA did not provide further details on the specific violations committed by Park, McKellar, and Cipriano.
