'The Arrow - The Bow' Shuts Out Critics

The promotional company behind Kim Ki-duk's upcoming film "Hwal (The Arrow - The Bow)" said it would not hold any preview screenings for the movie prior to its release.

The film, the 12th work by the director of such works as "Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter...and Spring", "Samaria" and "3-Iron", is set to be released on May 12. But without a preview screening for the media, critics will not have a chance to write reviews of the film until after it opens.

A similar tactic is sometimes used abroad when a company expects reviews to be overly negative. However, Kim Yong-sim of Cinema Janus, the promotional firm for "The Arrow - The Bow", said they made their decision because "We want people to be able to watch the film without prejudice".

The promotional company also took care to create posters and trailers that don't give away too much of the story. Only one still image of the film has been made available to the media.

The film, Kim's 12th, will open in Cinus G Theater in Kangnam on May 12 and gradually expand the number of theaters depending on its success. "The Arrow - The Bow" is set on an island and a boat in front of the island, and tells the love story of a young girl and an old man. The film will also screen in the non-competition section of the Cannes Film Festival.

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