Dear Pyongyang

Watch Dear Pyongyang

  • NR
  • 2005
  • 1 hr 47 min
  • 7.8  (202)

Dear Pyongyang is a touching and emotional documentary directed by a Korean-born Japanese filmmaker, Yang Yong-hi. The film focuses on the experience of the North Korean-Japanese community and their relationship with North Korea. The title, ‘Dear Pyongyang’, refers to the letters that the filmmaker's father sends to his family in North Korea, despite the fact that they have lived in Japan for many years.

The documentary highlights the various dilemmas faced by the North Korean-Japanese community, who are often stuck between two countries and two cultures. They have a strong connection to North Korea, but at the same time, they are also proud of their Japanese identity. The film shows how this conflict can create tension within families, especially when members have different opinions on political issues.

Dear Pyongyang is essentially a personal story. It follows the filmmaker's relationship with her father, who is a prominent member of the North Korean-Japanese community. The documentary shows how Yong-hi has grown up in a family that is deeply invested in North Korean politics and culture. Her father is a supporter of the North Korean government, and he has a strong emotional connection to the country. He regularly sends money and food to family members in North Korea and participates in demonstrations and rallies in support of the regime.

Despite her father's strong allegiance to North Korea, Yong-hi struggles with her own feelings towards the country. She has a critical view of the regime and is worried about the human rights abuses that occur there. The film shows how these conflicting feelings can create tension between family members, with Yong-hi's siblings often feeling frustrated by her criticisms of North Korea.

The documentary is filmed in a simple and understated style, with most scenes taking place in the family's apartment in Tokyo. The filmmaker often includes footage of her father watching North Korean TV or participating in rallies, as well as family dinners and conversations. The film also includes interviews with other members of the North Korean-Japanese community, who share their own experiences and opinions.

One of the most interesting aspects of the film is its portrayal of North Korea. While the country is often demonized in western media, Dear Pyongyang provides a glimpse into the country's culture and history from the perspective of those who have a personal connection to it. The film shows how North Korea is a place of great emotional significance for the North Korean-Japanese community, with many feeling a strong sense of nostalgia for a country they have never lived in.

Overall, Dear Pyongyang is a poignant and powerful documentary about the complexities of family, identity, and politics. It effectively portrays the struggles faced by the North Korean-Japanese community and raises important questions about the nature of identity and loyalty. The film is a moving tribute to family love and the enduring bonds that connect us, even across great cultural and political divides.

Dear Pyongyang
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Description
  • Release Date
    2005
  • MPAA Rating
    NR
  • Runtime
    1 hr 47 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.8  (202)