[KS] North Korean Film Week at the ANU (6-8 May 2008)

[L&J Development and Consultancy]

*North Korean Film Week at the ANU*
6-8 May 2008 from 6 to 8 PM,
in Room G051, Melville Hall,
Australian National University,
Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia

Anyone interested in contemporary North Korea is warmly invited to attend a
unique series of retrospective film screenings by Dr. Leonid Petrov*. Please
note that the films shown have no subtitles, but will be preceded by an
explanatory synopsis in English. Complete synopses of the movies are
available here: http://koreanstudies.anu.edu.au/filmnight.htm

Tuesday May 6, 2008

*"The Destiny of Keum-hee and Eun-hee" [Keumhee-wa Eunhee-ui unmyong]*
(1974, Directors: Pak Hak and Eom Kil-seon, 101 min. No subtitles,
explanatory synopsis English)
Room G051, Melville Hall: 18:00 - 20:00

One of the classics of North Korean cinematography, this film emulates the
best examples of Soviet and Chinese filmmaking traditions. The story is
based on the famous novel by Paek In-jun about twins separated by the Korean
War. Never heard about each other again, the twin-sisters live in the very
different societies separated by the civil and ideological conflict.

Keum-hee lives a happy and comfortable life in North Korea, where she can
see her talent for singing and dancing fulfilled. Her sister, Eun-hee, on
the contrary, is destined to suffer in the South, surrounded by social evils
and class inequality.This film laments the national division and claims the
superiority of Socialist system. Life in post-war Korea is masterfully
portraying the grim reality of that difficult time.


Wednesday May 7, 2008

*"Our Fragrance" [Uri-e Hyang-gi]*
(2003, Director: Cheon Jong-pal, 85 min. No subtitles, Explanatory synopsis
in English)
Room G051, Melville Hall: 18:00 - 20:00

This film reflects the early changes and nascent conflicts which began
emerging in the North Korean society after the introduction of
market-oriented reforms in July 2002. Foreign cultural influences, growing
materialism and consumerism are believed to create obstacles for the
advancement of Korean-style Socialism.

Pyeong-ho, a researcher-scientist who develops the new types of Korean
traditional dish, Kimch'i, comes from a conservative family. He tries to
preserve and incorporate the traditional values into modern life. A young
guide-interpreter, Sae-byeol, who works for International Travel Company, is
overly accustomed to the lifestyle influenced by foreign traditions. Destiny
makes Pyeong-ho and Sae-byeol meet at the fashion show in Pyongyang.
Participation in this competition turns into a tough examine for both of
them and their families.


Thursday May 8, 2008

*"The Schoolgirl's Diary" [Han nyohaksaeng-ui ilgi]*
(2006, Director: Jang In-hak, 93 min. No subtitles, Explanatory synopsis in
English)
Room G051, Melville Hall: 18:00 - 20:00

One of the most recent films produced in North Korea, "The Schoolgirl's
Diary" immediately hit the box-office record locally, won a prize at the
2006 International Pyongyang Film Festival, and even found its way overseas.
The film chronicles a girl's life through her school years, full of peer
pressure and family problems, much the same as it is everywhere in the
world.

The main character, Suryon, is preparing to make a major decision on what to
do with her life after school. She analyses her childhood and questions her
parents' difficult life. Suryon's family lives in a rundown country house,
her mother is suffering from cancer, and her father is a workaholic who
spends days and nights at the factory working on a scientific project.
Tensions at home and school translates into depression and disenchantment
with her parents. However, one day Suryon realises how selfish and immature
she was.


* Dr. Leonid Petrov (RSPAS, ANU), who has been studying and teaching North
Korea-related subjects, will provide a brief introduction and lead the
discussion. Dr. Petrov is currently working on the projects "Historical
Conflict and Reconciliation in East Asia" (ANU-ARC) and "North-South
Interfaces on the Korean Peninsula" (French CNRS-EHESS).
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