Les Demoiselles de Pyongyang

I agree with what most posters say about this movie. Yes, the film does not show any of the real horrors of the country. What it shows is what the North Korean government would allow, and nothing else.

But the film also gives a rare insight into the (few) people whose lives in some ways can be compared to the lives of people in other countries. But where we have film stars, pop singers, authors, intellectuals and other role models that present us with diversified views on life, they (the affluent minority) have only one philosophy, and that is Kim Jong Il. They have no alternative religions, politics, philosophies, myths, icons, legends, thoughts or anything else.

What is interesting about the film is that it gives us an insight into the lives of those who are relatively well off in a totalitarian regime. And it is clear that the movie is made by people who do not live in that same regime. The filmmakers look at the human, 'weak' side of these people instead of just showing these people as role models. The North Korean government would see these people as becoming a glorious unified whole during these games. We see them as robots and slaves to a corrupt regime that doesn't care about them.

It is like British people visiting and making documentaries about the Nazi-devotees in the late 30s Germany. We know what is going on behind the scene, but the devotion and naivety shown by the people on screen is almost just as frightening, since these people could be ourselves under similar circumstances.

I just saw this movie and really enjoyed it.

To those who are criticizing the makers of the film for not revealing the horrific "truth" about North Korea, it's worth pointing out that politicizing the film would have resulted in 1) the film crew's Korean minders being thrown in jail (they are responsible for making sure that the film doesn't reflect negatively on the state), not to mention the extended families of the minders, 2) most probably both girls & their families also being jailed, and 3) pretty much any other Korean people who show up in the film also, being thrown in jail.

Jail in North Korea is very, very ugly and I imagine many people don't live long there.

Rather than have everyone they ever interviewed possibly tortured and killed, the film's creators wisely chose to criticize the North Korea state only in an oblique manner, simply by stating the truth and avoiding controversial topics. Had they not, aside from the consequences to their subjects, they would never have been allowed to set foot in the country again.

Yes, the girls and their families are the elite of the state. Frankly, I live better than that, and I'm not rich. If they're the elite, the country must be in rough shape.

I'm just glad we were able to see so much of what daily life is like (in Pyongyang). Extended footage like this from inside the country is very rare.

The country of North Korea has always fascinated me (based on their isolation it's like that gov building due to it's secrecy you just want to know what's in there)and so I have watched several docs on North Korea aka DPRK and this one is by far the best. Most docs it is obvious that it is scripted with minders feeding you B.S. throughout the whole documentary. This one scripted or not gives you more of an everyday life in the showcase capital. Most documentaries about this country the showcase capital home to two million people always looked barren. This wasn't the case. I don't know how this director was able to get such up close and personal access? It shows that even though they are worship their leader under a bunch of lies they all seem content and happy cause that is all they know. It is focused on everyday life there as is and not so much about how the leader is this God like figure. It's there but not as prominent. I really wonder what became of these girls and their family. All I could find is the younger girl was in school to become a chef. The other girl I could find nothing on her. So bottom line is put your bias aside and watch this you will want to watch it a few times.

This film is truly a weird product. Coming from the BBC, the makers are probably not that hungry and were paid in advance for their work. So it is not really a propaganda film done by someone hoping to make money from the North Korean leadership.

The images are good. Yet the off voice is doing its best to gloss things over. Making this a mild propaganda movie.

What makes things really weird is two reviews tell something. Is it THE TRUTH? I don't believe there is a truth. And two pages of reviews seem to be written in reply to the two reviews. Even the likes, which IMDb calls "was this review helpful..." reflect that. The two raising quite a few issues are buried down and the let's call them answers are well liked, yet empty. Only one review says something about endangering the people still living in North Korea. The others are just "this is the best".

So is this film a piece of propaganda? It doesn't seem to have started like that. But it ended up as a piece of support for the dear leader and his impotent son called general simply because it sounds manly.

Contact me with Questions, Comments or Suggestions ryitfork @ bitmail.ch

Since the only comments that have been posted on this film are negative, I wanted to put something positive. First off I am fascinated with countries and the ways of life other then what Im used too. This film let an insider see what its like in a country that only exists with in itself without all of the trends, and the typical attitudes by the people you will find in the USA. I can understand their hatred and frustration towards "the land of the free" and it was just magical to me to see what these people are about and what they truly stand for and what they believe. My argument has always been the US wouldn't like it if other nations invaded them and tried to control their way of life so why do they think they can do it to other nations. Whose Washington to say North Koreas wrong?? When it all comes down too it united states citizens are just as brainwashed as any other nation about what is right or wrong but the film is very good and it gives you a look at a country that is basically a secret to the western world.