North Korea film and documentary viewing
Filed under: Journalists, Juche Rules Film, North Korea, film
I’ll be guest speaking and presenting some of my North Korea reports at a “showing” and panel discussion in Pasadena.
Two award-winning films, De-Faced and Kim Jongilia the Movie will be screened there. I’ve seen parts of those movies and they look amazing.
Come out and support if you can!
http://www.brehmcenter.com/event/2009-11-19–north-korea-in-cinema–deface-and-kimjongilia/
North Korea sadly making the headlines…
As we just wrapped up filming my screenplay, Juche Rules, about a journalist who obtains secret footage in North Korea, I find myself eerily looking at the news headlines, where American journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee are now on trial in North Korea. It is a case filled with so many questions– Did they actually cross the Sino-Korean border? Are they being treated well? Are they being used as political pawns? Does anyone have any idea how the North Korean court system works? Having traveled to North Korea twice, all I can say that is if someone claims to understand the North Korean mind, then they probably have no idea what goes on in the North Korean mind. Most of the people are essentially brainwashed drones. I recall looking out from my tour bus, and into the fields, where I could see such mindless, ordinary people, marching out to plant a flag. I recall watching South Korean tourists yell into the mountains to hear their voices echo through the beautiful Mount Kumgang. At the same, time, North Korean guides, just watched with completely blank expressions, wondering what could be so interesting about hearing your own voice echo. Unfortunately, their own voices are completely lost in the desolate country. But I’m curious to know, how many people do have independent thought there, and how many of them are able to break through the brainwashing. I am sure the vast majority do not. However, I interviewed several defectors many years ago, and f0r most of them, there was a particular moment. Perhaps they got a small glimpse of the outside world, and something penetrated their mind, allowing them to feel conscious for the first time in their life. For most of them, there was almost always a moment of truth where they had to decide to make a break for freedom, which also meant leaving their families behind forever. That is courage, and at the same time, some might think selfishness. For what happens to their families can be shame or even many years in a labor camp. No one has the answers to the right or wrong of that decision … no one.