Dear Pyongyang

Dear Pyongyang
South Korean theatrical poster
Directed by	Yang Young-Hee (South Korea) / Yang Yong-hi (Japan)
Produced by	Inaba Toshiya
Editing by	Nakaushi Akane)
Distributed by	Cheon, Inc.
Release date(s)	PiFan: October 2005 Japan: August 26, 2006 South Korea: November 23, 2006
Running time	107 min.
Country	Japan
Language	Japanese Korean

Dear Pyongyang is a documentary film by Zainichi Korean director Yang Young-Hee (Korean: 양영희, Hanja: 梁英姬) about her own family. Shot in Osaka Japan (Yang's hometown) and Pyongyang, North Korea, the film features Korean dialogue with Japanese subtitles. The US release has Japanese and Korean dialogue with English subtitles.^[1][2] In August 2006, Yang also released a book in Japanese under the same title expanding on the themes she explored in the film.^[2]

Story

In the 1970s, Yang's father, an ardent communist and leader of the pro-North movement in Japan, sent his three sons from Japan to North Korea under a repatriation campaign sponsored by ethnic activist organisation and de-facto North Korean embassy Chongryon; as the only daughter, Yang herself remained in Japan. However, as the economic situation in the North deteriorated, the brothers became increasingly dependent for survival on the care packages sent by their parents. The film shows Yang's visits to her brothers in Pyongyang, as well as conversations with her father about his ideological faith and his regrets over breaking up his family.^[3]

Film festivals

• Sundance Film Festival, 2006^[1]
• Pusan International Film Festival, 2006^[1]
• Berlin International Film Festival, 2006^[1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} Koehler, Robert (2006-02-23). "Dear Pyongyang". Variety. http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117929341.html?categoryid=31&cs=1. Retrieved 2007-03-20. 
2. ^ ^{a b} Yang, Yong-hi (August 2006). ディア・ピョンヤン―家族は離れたらアカンのや. Artone. ISBN 486193057X. 
3. ^ Kim, Tae-jong (2006-11-24). "'Dear Pyongyang' for Dear Dad". Korea Times. http://koreapop.com/webzine.pfm?mode=review&num=224&code=review. Retrieved 2007-03-20. 

External links

• Dear Pyongyang
• Dear Pyongyang at the Internet Movie Database
• ’Dear Pyongyang’ builds bridge between life in N. Korea and outside world