keasy
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« on: February 08, 2010, 11:18:16 PM » |
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A journalist with no scruples and a pair of Danish comedians travel to North Korea with a mission to use humour to uncover the truth behind one of the world's most notorious regimes
On the pretext of being a small Danish theatre troupe on a cultural exchange, the filmmaker was granted permission by the North Korean government to stage a performance for a select audience in the capital. In reality, the troupe was comprised of an unscrupulous journalist, Mads Brugger, and two Danish/Korean comedians, Jacob and Simon, of whom the former is handicapped. Their goal is to use humour to expose the intricate effects of an oppressive regime.
The film follows the troupe as they are lovingly yet firmly escorted by a motherly government employee around the important historical sights, and as they 'collaborate' with other government officials on their performance.
Their double life is wearing on Jacob who feels conflicting emotions of affection and hatred for his hosts. With a sensibility similar to that of Lars Von Trier's controversial film The Idiots, this documentary takes a darkly humorous look inside the North Korean dictatorship.
North Korea's 23 million citizens are ruled by the iron hand of 'The Dear Leader', General Kim Jong-il. The country has a history of starving its people, violating human rights and abusing and killing its handicapped citizens.
Just watched 'Kim Jong-Il's Comedy Club' and it was one of the best things I've ever seen on telly. It was funny as feck but achieved it's purpose of giving insight to the North Korean regime with great effect.
If you get a chance, watch it on iPlayer or wherever you can grab it.
Jacob who is a comedy spastic (as he describes himself) is a real dilemma for the NK's as they reportedly kill their handicapped at birth. so they see him as a great opportunity to use him as a tool for propaganda.
Jacob maybe be handicapped but he's well tuned in and little do they know it he's manipulating them more. The film maker 'Mads' knows he too at times is using Jacob but he does this as nature of the film, the way it takes its course. and he does realise it and struggles with it at times.
You ought to see the part when they are taken to what the NK's call a 'peace demonstration' essentially an anti American mass rally organised by the state. They are taken into the marching crowds and the film maker suddenly realises they are getting too much attention and really starts to shit himself. He joins in the anti American chants, raising his right fist in the air with the rest of the thousands to fit, to ease his ever growing fear of not doing as is and having to pay the ultimate price for it. Jacob refuses and Mads really does try his best to get him too, he still refuses. It's brilliant, Jacob doesn't understand the fear factor, he's maybe switched on but he's a bit to good of heart and innocent to realise it, it really shows what a regime of fear North Korea is.
Try and see it, you will gringe, be out raged, saddened, amused, angered, feel the film makers fear, sorrow for the NK political pawns and anger at them, relief when they finally make it out of there and hilarity at the final joke (that I shall not be wasting by telling)
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