January 10, 2012
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NorKor and handicapped people
Saferia, who is my #1 adviser for all things NorKor related in the media recommended the film, Red Chapel and then this article, North Korean government murdering disabled children in Pyongyang, today. You are awesome, thank you!
Red Chapel
This film is a must-see. I worried that I would somehow be less interested now that Kim Jong Il has died, but this was not the case. Like Saferia told me, this movie is in a class all by it's own. One Danish director takes 2 Danish-Koreans to NorKor on the premise of doing a comedy show for cultural exchange. He pretends to agree with North Korean policy to gain access to more freedom. He is able to pull off some pretty uncomfortable stunts (like reading a hippie poem to the KJI statue and marching in a war demonstration). Amazingly, they sing Wonderwall to a bunch of North Korean students and another audience (even though foreign music is banned).
The kicker is, that one of the Danish-Korean comedians is handicapped. Knowing that if he had been born in NorKor, he would have been killed, he has the most insightful and poignant things to say about the country.
You'all should really try and see this. If you've ever wondered, how do people live knowing that there are others being tortured and killed nearby? This film sheds light on the gross travesty of the two-faced NorKor general public as they carry out the political drama of the regime (but, you know, in a funny way).
Comments (2)
Well said (and giving you all my e-props)! Thanks to you, I'm more interested (and informed) on NorKor, and mostly keep an eye out for articles for you!
I'm glad you enjoyed the film, and that I'm not the only one that felt the need for a debriefing following the film. Could you imagine what it must have been like for Jacob (the "spastic" one, Mad's words, not mine) to go back home feeling so torn between 2 places, used, taken advantage of, mis-interpreted etc?! That damned parade (that he didn't want to be a part of) reminded me of scenes from a Nazi rally... Heil Kim Jong-Il?! This film had so many layers of wrong and so many contradictions it's mind blowing! They got Dear Leader pins for being "loyal" subjects?! Kim Jong-Il's favorite food is pizza?! "Cultural exchange" (hahaha! NOT)?! Inviting comedians to perform, then hijacking their performance?! I could go on...
I'll be keeping my eyes out for more NorKor propaganda.
P.S: Did you notice that Kim Jong-Il is listed as one of the actors?!
@Saferia - Thanks!
I totally noticed that and thought it was hilarious. It reminded me of My Drunk Kitchen on Youtube. This girl is crazy and funny. She has credits like Cheese: Sorely Missed in her credits.
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