The Story of a Blooming Flower 꽃에 깃든 사연 (1992)

Based on true events.

A Japanese florist creates his masterpiece: the red begonia hybrids will represent the Juche ideology and stand as a symbol of love, justice and peace. In honor of the beloved leader, he gives her the name Kimjongilia.

Pyongyang Nalpharam 평양 날파람 (2006)

The film is set in the early 20th century, during the Japanese colonial rule of Korea. Jeong Taek is a master of Pyongyang Nalpharam, a form of the ancient Taekkyeon martial art perfected on Mount Taeseong near Pyongyang. He returns home one day to find his father poisoned by Korean-born Japanese woman Mieko, who claims that the elder was responsible for the death of her own father. At first mistaking the woman for his childhood sweetheart, So Gyeon, Taek is forced into action when Japanese forces lay claim to the sacred texts containing the secrets of Pyongyang Nalpharam. (Wiki)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyongyang_Nalpharam

A great review of the film is here...

Wiki article on the ancient Korean martial art of Taekkyeon

Hong Kil Dong 홍길동 (1986)

Based on a fictional book about a Robin Hood in Korea,Hong Gil Dong this drama is very loosely based off of that book and the time it was set in. Hong Gil Dong is the bastard son of a minister. He spends most of his time lazing the day away and taking goods from the various merchants. However, a local monk think he's destined to be more. Hong Gil Dong, for his part, really dislikes the injustices in this ranked world. Heo Yi Nok has returned to Korea, fresh from China. She's an upbeat, naive and carefree girl. She's been living with her grandfather for the last few years. They both are merchants looking to make a fortune back in Korea. Lee Chang Hwi, however, has been told since he was young that he's the rightful king of Korea. He bumps into Heo Yi Nok. This initially causes misunderstanding between them, but over time his heart is softening towards her. Meanwhile Heo Yi Nok and Hong Gil Dong are developing a friendship that feels like (at least to Yi Nok) that it could be more. As the question of rightful succession comes into play, Hong Gil Dong and Yi Nok are forced to take sides.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0254387/


Wiki page on the history of the story

A Broad Bellflower 도라지꽃 (1987)

As the most popular North Korean production of the 1980s, Bellflower earned lead actress O Mi-ran the honorific title "People's Actor." O's character, Jin Song Rim, strives to turn her humble mountain hometown of Pyokgye-ri into a model socialist village. Released when the economic foundations of the DPRK were starting to tremble, Bellflower praises the spirit of workers who accept their roles and work for the betterment of the nation

Wolmi Island 월미도(1982)

This North Korean film directed by JO Kyong-sun gives a vivid representation of the tragic fate of coastal battery unit that fought to the last man protecting the Wolmi Island in September 1950. Countering 50,000 troops and over 500 warships of General MacArthur, the North Korean battery commander Li Tae-un and his company men checked the UN landing operation for three days by displaying unprecedented bravery and a high degree of self-sacrificing spirit. This film also depicts the role of women conscripted to participate in the Korean War alongside with men on the frontline and to the rear. ~ Prof. M. Shin, Cambridge

Also see:  http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/21/world/asia/21iht-incheon.1.14657938.html?pagewanted=all

The Tale Of 15 Children 열다섯소년에 대한 이야기 (1985)

In Colonial Korea, a group of village children are continually bullied by an oppressive landowner and his family. With dreams of sailing away to an island where they can be free, they “borrow” the landowner's boat and set sail. They get lost, encounter storms and finally end up shipwrecked on an island where they must learn to survive without adults.

Unlike most other North Korean movies, the political message is limited in THE TALE OF 15 CHILDREN, until unforgettable scenes near the end. Two of the children who have built a raft and left to get help, are picked up by an American ship and taken prisoner. The “Americans” with long hair, huge noses and brutal makeup jobs, drink, gamble, listen to wild music, and discuss whether they should sell the children into slavery. Supposed to look like hippies, but definitely not mellow. They even have an “African-American” (Korean blackface) slave shown being whipped and beaten. (http://bambizzoozled.blogspot.kr/2009/07/tale-of-15-children.html)

Pulgasari 불가사리 (1985)

Without doubt, North Korea's most famous film. This also has an interesting history in that it was directed by a South Korean, Shin Sang-Ok, who had been kidnapped in 1978 by North Korean intelligence on the orders of Kim Jong-Il son of the then-ruling Kim Il-Sung.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulgasari

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089851/

Our Lifeline 우리의 생명 (2002)

This one comes in 2 parts. One of my favourite films from the DPRK.

"This film actually ranks up there as one of the best North Korean films I’ve seen" - Simon Fowler. The plot follows that of an idealistic school teacher who was orphaned during the Japanese occupation of Korea. When approached by the intelligence bureau and asked to join the course to help protect Kim Il-sung, Jo Yun Chol is at first aprehensive, but after realising that “… safeguarding our national leader is our lifeline” he joins the good fight.

http://northkoreanfilms.com/2011/04/03/review-our-lifeline-2002/

Part 1 (1hr 17min)


Part 2 (1hr 3min)

Our Fragrance 우리의 향기 (2003)

Our Fragrance is a 2003 North Korean film written by Ri Suk Gyong and produced and directed by Jon Jong Pal. It falls under the genre of comedy and reflects the period following the 2002 market-oriented economic reforms. Although an initial match-making attempt between Pyongho and Saebyol through their grandparents is unsuccessful, the two are brought together by fate to participate in the Pyongyang spring fashion show. Modelling both the fashion and the virtues of a wedding couple, their families convene to judge the potential unity. However, tradition versus the foreign influence seeping into society becomes the theme as misunderstandings come to create drama between the two families and the young couple. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Fragrance)

Centre Forward 중앙공격수 (1978)

In Son is trying to become a successful football player. As his team is faced with poor results, their coach is taking a different approach to their training methods.

The Flower Girl 꽃파는 처녀 (1972)

The country is occupied by the Japanese imperialists. Koppun is selling flowers at the market to get some money to buy medicine for her sick mother. Her brother has joined the resistance movement and Koppun joins him under the leadership of the Great Leader, Comrade Kim Il Sung, to throw out the foreign occupants. Written by Mattias Thuresson at IMDB.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Flower_Girl

Welcome!

Welcome to North Korean Films. Here you will be able to find a collection of films made in the DPRK all with embedded subtitles.
We hope you enjoy the films. Be sure to check back for updates.

Any requests or issues with the site and films included, please drop us an email at:

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