Watch A Postcard from Pyongyang - Traveling through North Korea

A Postcard from Pyongyang - Traveling through North Korea is a fascinating documentary that follows a young Frenchwoman, Nathalie Plicot, as she travels through North Korea, one of the world's most secretive countries. The film is shot in a first-person style, which gives the audience an intimate look at the country's culture, landscapes, and people.

From the beginning, the film pulls the viewer in with stunning views of the country's landmarks, most notably the Juche Tower, the Ryugyong Hotel, and the Arch of Triumph. The shots of busy streets, bustling markets, and colorful public transport are quite captivating. Nathalie walks through the streets, sometimes accompanied by her North Korean guide, who introduces her to the people and places of the nation. The locals are friendly and welcoming; they are happy to invite her to their homes, share their meals with her, and listen to her music.

As the film progresses, Nathalie starts to delve deeper into the country's history, politics, and society. She visits museums, monuments, and other places of cultural significance. She learns about the strict socialist ideology of the Kim regime and how it has been embodied in the daily lives of the North Koreans. She also visits schools, and factories, where she meets workers and students, and observes their daily routines.

Throughout the film, Nathalie attempts to break through the cultural barriers and establish an authentic connection with the locals. She engages in conversations, shares her personal stories, and tries to see things from their perspective. Her interactions with her guide, who is exceptionally warm and friendly, are particularly revealing. Nathalie struggles to reconcile her cultural biases with her desire to see the North Koreans as real individuals, with joys and sorrows, hopes and fears, and dreams and aspirations of their own. The film highlights the strength of human connections over language and cultural barriers - a theme that resonates with people across the globe.

The visuals in the film are stunning, and the cinematography does an excellent job of depicting North Korea's landscapes and culture in breathtaking detail. The music, too, is beautiful, with traditional Korean folk and classical music weaved seamlessly to the narrative.

However, the movie also shows the limitations of the North Korean regime's norms, like the control of information, the restriction of movement, and the systemic violation of human rights. It becomes clear that every aspect of life in the country, from education to entertainment, is heavily censored and tightly controlled by the authorities.

Overall, A Postcard from Pyongyang - Traveling through North Korea offers a fascinating glimpse into the hermit nation and its people. The film is both enlightening and thought-provoking, as it explores the complexities of human connections in the face of deep cultural differences. It is an essential watch, especially for those interested in human rights or wish to know the realities of daily life in one of the most isolated countries in the world.

A Postcard from Pyongyang - Traveling through North Korea is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 19 minutes.