The recent announcement by the Writers Guild of America regarding the expulsion of Park Chan-wook and Don McKellar for their involvement in writing on the HBO miniseries “The Sympathizer” during the 2023 strike has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry. Park and McKellar, who co-created the series based on Viet Thanh Nguyen’s novel, did not appeal their expulsions, according to the guild.
Park, a renowned South Korean writer, director, and producer known for films like “Oldboy” and “The Handmaiden,” is set to premiere his next feature, “No Other Choice,” at the Venice Film Festival. McKellar, a Canadian actor and filmmaker, has a screenplay credit on the upcoming film, which he shares with Park and others.
In addition to Park and McKellar, Anthony Cipriano has been suspended and given a lifetime ban on serving as a strike captain for his involvement in writing on “The Last Breath.” The WGA’s decision to discipline these writers comes after the membership narrowly upheld the expulsions of Roma Roth and Edward Drake earlier this year.
The WGA did not provide specific details on the strike violations committed by Park, McKellar, and Cipriano but thanked the volunteers who served on the Strike Rules Compliance Committee for their work in investigating allegations of violations. The guild also acknowledged the trial committees for their role in delivering recommendations on discipline to the board.
Overall, the WGA’s actions serve as a reminder of the importance of upholding the rules and regulations set forth by the guild to ensure fair working conditions for all writers in the industry. As the fallout from these expulsions continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how it will impact the careers of Park, McKellar, and Cipriano moving forward.
