Watch My Brothers and Sisters in the North

My Brothers and Sisters in the North is a 2016 documentary film directed by Sung Hyung Cho, a South Korean-born filmmaker who has previously made films about North Korea. The film provides a rare glimpse into everyday life in North Korea from the perspective of three North Koreans who have defected to South Korea. The three main characters are Lee Zin-Mi, a young woman who was born in Pyongyang and fled to China before coming to South Korea; Kim Sung-Cheol, a former soldier who was posted to the demilitarized zone (DMZ) and defected across the border during a shift change; and Park Sung-Hyuk, a university student from a prominent family who fled to China and eventually made his way to South Korea.

The film follows the three characters as they recount their experiences of growing up in North Korea, their reasons for defecting, and their struggles to adapt to life in the South. The film also features interviews with other North Koreans living in South Korea, as well as experts on North Korean history and culture.

One of the most striking aspects of the film is the contrast between life in the North and life in the South. The three main characters describe a world where government propaganda is omnipresent, where the state controls every aspect of life, and where even basic freedoms such as freedom of speech and freedom of movement are severely restricted. They also describe a society where poverty is widespread, where corruption is endemic, and where ordinary people struggle to make ends meet.

In contrast, life in the South is portrayed as a world of abundance, where people enjoy a wide range of freedoms and opportunities. The film shows the three main characters adapting to their new lives in the South, learning to use smartphones, trying new foods, and exploring their newfound freedoms.

However, the film also acknowledges the difficulties that come with starting a new life in a foreign country. The three main characters face a range of challenges, from learning the language to finding work to overcoming the trauma of their past experiences. The film also highlights the discrimination and prejudice that North Korean defectors often face in the South, as well as the difficulties they have in reconciling their new lives with the family and friends they left behind.

Overall, My Brothers and Sisters in the North is a powerful and thought-provoking film that sheds light on a part of the world that is often shrouded in secrecy. The film provides a personal and intimate portrait of the lives of ordinary North Koreans, and it offers a window into the complex and sometimes painful process of adapting to a new life in a different culture.

My Brothers and Sisters in the North is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 48 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.