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FRONTLINE presents 'Secret State of North Korea' premiering Jan. 14, 2014 on PBS.
- Thread starter Spike Spiegel
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Haha, yeah I agree one of the many reasons Frontline is one of the best in the biz when it comes to documentaries.
This was very well done. This had the most smuggled footage out of North Korea to date. Some documentaries about the country, even five years ago, would have a minute or so of footage. This had orphaned kids begging for 10 cents, and North Koreans watching smuggled footage and asking themselves whether they were Europeans or from the Soviet Union was fascinating.
It was unbelievable seeing footage of a woman trying to make a living as a bus driver totally push around a North Korean male soldier. I just don't see how this government survives for another twenty years given our information age, and how easy it easy to smuggle TV shows, entertaintment etc. via thumbdrive. On the other hand the regime is so brutal in how they carry out tactics (rounding up whole families for one "traitor"), plus they have the backing of China for various reasons. I don't think the Chinese like the NK government but they have to deal with them for the time being. Hopefully we'll be able to see a unified Korea under a free, capitialist system because this crazy "Juche" family cult has to end soon. Some of the footage with the orphans begging for food was very difficult to watch.
If any GAFfers want to see another interesting NK documentary I reccomend Crossing the Line.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossing_the_Line_(documentary)
Also another anedote from the docu: The US dollar is accepted as a universal currency even in North Korea. $1 buys you 9 pounds of corn.
airmangataosenai
Member
Tagged for later. North Korea is such an interesting topic.
I'm speculating but from the grainy photos I've seen, I think his uncle is the only one without a hat in that first row. I could be wrong though, but Frontline has some photos of him at a military parade, and the most recent ones where he was taken away before his execution.
Photos of the power players in the NK government are always rare. Frontline only had one video of Kim-Jong-Uns uncle and there was one person between them.
Indeed. Anyone interested should read Nothing To Envy.
Fantastic book, if amazingly depressing at times.
Kimjongilia is a decent documentary if books are not your thing, it is not without flaws, but it is interesting.
Kimjongilia was pretty disapointing to me. Thanks for the book suggesstion though, will check it out.
Shane Smith, from VICE's, first documentary on North Korea a few years ago is great introduction, as is Lisa Ling National Geographic documentary. More people need to check out "Crossing the Line" IMO.
This Frontline one is one of the very best though, if only for all the smuggled footage of the country.
Another thing I find hard to believe- How is it that Kim-Jung-Un went to a wealthy Swiss private schools and no intelligence agencies (CIA, Mossad, KGB etc.) did not know he was next in line. Sounds a bit fishy to me. The powers that be know that this government will not sustain itself on its propaganda in this day and age.
I think it is because he wasn't next in line for a while. Thee was lots of manoeuvring by the various family members I think. He wasn't declared the successor until 2010 or something. I think he used a lot of fake identities while he was studying as well.
a Master Ninja
Member
I didn't think North Korea could surprise me anymore, but this FRONTLINE sure did a few times. The department store, which is fully staffed, is just a set!
ClassyPenguin
Banned
Indeed. Anyone interested should read Nothing To Envy.
Fantastic book, if amazingly depressing at times.
Kimjongilia is a decent documentary if books are not your thing, it is not without flaws, but it is interesting.
I'd also recommend the hefty but insanely interesting biography of the Kim dynasty:
Under the Loving Care of the Fatherly Leader: North Korea and the Kim Dynasty
Watching these documentaries always makes me think of the people who downplay North Korea's craziness as just a lot of "western propaganda". Sure, propaganda exists all around us, but that doesn't negate the very REAL shit that goes in North Korea. It amazes me that some people can still feel that way, especially with more and more information coming out about the country.
Frontline is amazing though. North Korea sure is a depressing topic though since you feel so helpless as you see the people struggle. I remember reading the report of a North Korean woman who was imprisoned for a few years before she was miraculously released and managed to escape to the South and it was probably the most depressing thing I've read. The things they do to their own people is unthinkable and to know what would happen to some of these people shown in Frontline if they were caught is even more depressing. I think being shot right after conviction would be better than what the prisoners have to go through, especially considering most of them did absolutely nothing at all to warrant even normal jail time.
Frontline is amazing though. North Korea sure is a depressing topic though since you feel so helpless as you see the people struggle. I remember reading the report of a North Korean woman who was imprisoned for a few years before she was miraculously released and managed to escape to the South and it was probably the most depressing thing I've read. The things they do to their own people is unthinkable and to know what would happen to some of these people shown in Frontline if they were caught is even more depressing. I think being shot right after conviction would be better than what the prisoners have to go through, especially considering most of them did absolutely nothing at all to warrant even normal jail time.
Gordon0Freeman
Member
Will watch after I take my final on Friday. Can't wait
kidtamagotchi
Member
Very interesting documentary. A lot of things in it got to me, like when it showed that girl group performing, then saying they were executed for starting the rumors about Kim Jung Un's wife. Also, those poor orphans. Like, one orphan just left his house because his mom said it was hard taking care of him.
I can't believe oppression still happens in this day and age, and that there isn't much that can be done about it. I really hope the North Korean people rise up and demand a change. I hope it happens soon. :/
I can't believe oppression still happens in this day and age, and that there isn't much that can be done about it. I really hope the North Korean people rise up and demand a change. I hope it happens soon. :/
It's that easy huh, watch a smuggled DVD of Skyfall, start a revolution to overthrow a totalitarian regime.
FantasticMrFoxdie
Mumber
Great watch, thanks for sharing OP.
I hope radical change in NK happens soon, shit seems so ridiculous over there
I hope radical change in NK happens soon, shit seems so ridiculous over there
OminoMichelin
Member
Any way to watch this from the EU?
OminoMichelin
Member
Doesn't work :/
"We're sorry, but this video is not available in your region due to right restrictions."
(australia).
thanks for the link. sounds very interesting. Now to try to get the online link to work from Ireland...
(for those getting region restrictions, I have a browser plug-in called HOLA that can make your browser appear to be from different regions. I have no idea how it works but it might be worth a shot)
(for those getting region restrictions, I have a browser plug-in called HOLA that can make your browser appear to be from different regions. I have no idea how it works but it might be worth a shot)
OminoMichelin
Member
Maybe you're using some sort of proxy? I'm in Italy as well
Countries like North Korea disgust me and I hope the people will be freed from their horrible governments soon. With globalization in this day and age, countries like North Korea are bound to fail sooner or later, nothing lasts forever...
But you know, especially with North Korea, I can't help but being strangely fascinated, I don't know what is it... I guess it's the way they portray themselves to the outside world when the inside is the total opposite.
But you know, especially with North Korea, I can't help but being strangely fascinated, I don't know what is it... I guess it's the way they portray themselves to the outside world when the inside is the total opposite.
...not available for your region
Also outside the US, works through a dns service like unblock-us, they have free trial so you can just use it for this if you like.
Ah yes, I watched it at work we are behind a proxy. Back on topic, I really hope something changes soon. This is probably one of the most depressing video I've seen in awhile.
XiaNaphryz
LATIN, MATRIPEDICABUS, DO YOU SPEAK IT
North Korea takes "propaganda machine" to an insane level.
I've seen quite a few documentaries about and from inside North Korea but they were primarily from the viewpoint of a visitor to the country, hence you only got to see what the regime wants you to see.
This one, however, offered an interesting new perspective about ordinary live in North Korea I haven't seen so far. How the women dealt with the police officers at the end of the docu was amazing, didn't think this was possible in NK without any kind of consequence. If I'd push an police officer around, I can probably spend the night at the police station or something, lol. Also, the aspect of smuggling hasn't been show to this extent before, fascinating how they pull this off.
Whenever I watch these documentaries, though, I get a feeling of helplessness. It hurts to see these people having to live under these circumstances, knowing I can't do much to help them. Neither can the world leaders it seems.
This one, however, offered an interesting new perspective about ordinary live in North Korea I haven't seen so far. How the women dealt with the police officers at the end of the docu was amazing, didn't think this was possible in NK without any kind of consequence. If I'd push an police officer around, I can probably spend the night at the police station or something, lol. Also, the aspect of smuggling hasn't been show to this extent before, fascinating how they pull this off.
Whenever I watch these documentaries, though, I get a feeling of helplessness. It hurts to see these people having to live under these circumstances, knowing I can't do much to help them. Neither can the world leaders it seems.
onadesertedisland
Member
It was interesting to see the internal dissent. I imagine that Un is clinging to power through fear alone at this point.
I would say within ten years the military takes over.
I would say within ten years the military takes over.
Thanks for this, I have a similar perspective. I've watched nearly every NK doc I could get my hands on; I'm gonna give it a watch now.
onadesertedisland
Member
From the docu it sounded like so long as you don't do anything political, you can break the law and be an asshat. Weird.
JordanN
Banned
They haven't already? I though Un was just a puppet.
BertramCooper
Banned
Phenomenal stuff.
That undercover footage is something else. It's so rare to see video from North Korea that isn't government propaganda or footage taken during one of those laughable state-sponsored tours. To see North Korean citizens brazenly defying government officials in public...wow.
I hate using the word "hopeful," but it really gives me a far more optimistic picture of the situation than I've ever previously had. The regime will become increasingly erratic and dangerous as its grip on power deteriorates, and millions will continue to suffer for the foreseeable future, but seeing footage of North Koreans standing up for themselves is profoundly moving.
That undercover footage is something else. It's so rare to see video from North Korea that isn't government propaganda or footage taken during one of those laughable state-sponsored tours. To see North Korean citizens brazenly defying government officials in public...wow.
I hate using the word "hopeful," but it really gives me a far more optimistic picture of the situation than I've ever previously had. The regime will become increasingly erratic and dangerous as its grip on power deteriorates, and millions will continue to suffer for the foreseeable future, but seeing footage of North Koreans standing up for themselves is profoundly moving.
Dragoon En Regalia
Member
Haven't seen a Frontline this good in a while. There's no air of desperation and imminence quite like that over Pyongyang; the nation's coming to pieces and, at some point or another, someone else's getting dragged into it.
RustyNails
Member
That soldier is probably executed by now
And probably anyone in the documentary who defiled the glory of our dear leader.
Uncle Rupee
Banned
Quite sad to finally see the conditions of the people living in those slums. However, it is great that NK citizens who have defected are doing stuff like that tv show, which will help to convince their former friends and neighbors that life on the outside is so much better.
The doc left me with an optimistic outlook too. It seems most likely that there will have to be some sort of military coup eventually.
The doc left me with an optimistic outlook too. It seems most likely that there will have to be some sort of military coup eventually.
Mattlikewhoa
Member
This sounds rather interesting... I have to see if I can PVR the next showing of it...
SniperHunter
Banned
btw if you don't live in the US, just get the "media hint" extension for chrome. You will be able to enjoy American netflix and watch these programs without any issue
Indeed, well said.
Perfect timing. ..I just finished reading Escape from Camp 14 and am really looking to devour some more on this topic. This documentary is next.
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