Dear Pyongyang

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Dear Pyongyang
South Korean theatrical poster
Directed byYang Young-hee (South Korea)
Yang Yong-hi (Japan)
Produced byInaba Toshiya
Edited byNakaushi Akane
Distributed byCheon, Inc.
Release dates
  • October 2005 (2005-10) (PiFan)
  • August 26, 2006 (2006-08-26) (Japan)
Running time
107 minutes
CountryJapan
LanguagesJapanese
Korean
Dear Pyongyang
Chosŏn'gŭl
디어 평양
Revised RomanizationDieo Pyeongyang
McCune–ReischauerTiŏ P'yŏngyang

Dear Pyongyang (Korean디어 평양) is a documentary film by Zainichi Korean director Yang Yong-hi about her family. It was shot in both Yang's hometown of Osaka, Japan, and Pyongyang, North Korea. The film has both Korean and Japanese dialogue with subtitles. The US release has Korean and Japanese dialogue with English subtitles.[1][2] In August 2006, Yang released a book in Japanese under the same title expanding on the themes she explored in the film.[2]

Story[edit]

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 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 views and his regrets over breaking up his family.[3]

Film festivals[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Koehler, Robert (2006-02-23). "Dear Pyongyang". Variety. 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". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2007-03-20.(registration required)

External links[edit]