The Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF) has confirmed it will proceed with the screening of the South Korean political thriller 'The Assassin(s)' as its opening film. This decision comes in direct response to pressure from South Korea’s conservative opposition party, the People Power Party (PPP), which had formally requested that the festival withdraw the movie from its program.

The controversy centers on the film's depiction of a 1974 assassination attempt. The PPP argues that the film engages in "historical distortion," suggesting that the fictionalized elements of the narrative misrepresent real-world events. While the party has sought to block the film's international exposure, the festival organizers have maintained their commitment to the original schedule, effectively prioritizing artistic programming over the political objections raised by the South Korean group.

The film, directed by Hur Jin-ho and featuring a prominent cast including Yoo Hae-jin, Park Hae-il, and Lee Min-ho, is a high-profile entry for the festival. By refusing to comply with the PPP's request, the SGIFF has signaled that it will not allow foreign political entities to dictate its selection of content. As of now, the festival has not issued a detailed rebuttal regarding the specific historical claims made by the PPP, focusing instead on the decision to keep the film in its opening slot.