MovieChat Forums > The Propaganda Game (2015) Discussion > Interesting Documentary

Interesting Documentary

posted 8 years ago by thirdgenesis
3 replies | jump to latest

Like many other people I'm curious about what goes on in the closed off country of North Korea. I've watched other documentaries, so when I saw this pop up on Netflix (and it was just made this year!) I immediately watched it.

Because this was a state sanctioned visit and the crew would be monitored, I knew we wouldn't see anything like the real conditions in footage we've seen leaked before. Still, we don't often see the propaganda machine at work this thoroughly so it was interesting to see exactly what they say and do and to what extent. For example, I never knew about the fake Christian churches set up (though I've heard about the stores that are essentially display only to look like they are a land of plenty).

What I did take notice of in particular is something I've never heard talked about in a documentary or news program before: WHY everyone puts up with this country and its human rights violations. And it essentially comes down to the fact no one but the North Korean people themselves want to see it go away. Everyone has their reasons but it boils down to power, politics, and money.

I saw someone posted a review that said the film was confusing, and I can understand that. But I do feel it gave a look at the country we don't necessarily see a lot of, and I did learn some new things I wasn't aware of.

[–] burnthebeautiful 8 years ago

The movie had more interviews with locals than I've seen in other documentaries. In the other documentaries I've seen they're barely even allowed to speak to the guides and any attempt to talk to locals gets blocked. So I liked that footage, even if the locals mostly recited propaganda in their answers and didn't seem to be speaking from the heart. The female tour guide at the museum really did seem to believe what she was saying, though, she sounded passionate.

[–] gabypanama 8 years ago

My impression from this and many other documentaries on the topic, is that many or most regular Koreans ARE passionate about their leaders and system, but basically because they've been brainwashed and practiced since birth to do and feel so. They've not seen or heard of anything different during their whole lives. The leaders and the party are their religion, their way of life. Its pretty tough to break through that if it's what your life has always been about. I feel sad for them.
So in my opinion, many North Koreans believe the lies they've been feed, and do believe and feel sympathy and love for their Leaders, and that anything bad is because "others" (U.S., Western World, whoever the Leaders choose to blame).

[–] matthew83128-1 8 years ago

I found that interesting too, a different way to look at it. I like how it also reminded you that the people of NK aren't bad, just oppressed and brainwashed.

"I knew it. I'm surrounded by *beep*