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Great North Korea Documentary

Blogs > DoctorHelvetica
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DoctorHelvetica
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
United States15034 Posts
February 16 2010 05:32 GMT
#1
I know a lot of you TLers are documentary lovers and I would consider myself one as well. A friend linked me to a documentary series about North Korea and I have to say, it's a must watch.

http://www.vbs.tv/watch/the-vice-guide-to-travel/vice-guide-to-north-korea-1-of-3

It's a 3 part series where these guys from VBS manage to get into North Korea by bribing a chinese consulate and they have the most absolutely bizarre experience.

I've read a bit about North Korea, but actually seeing these guys experience in the country adds a whole new perspective. I especially felt sad for the "tea girl" working at a tea shop when she probably gets about 1-2 customers every 6 months.

***
RIP Aaliyah
il0seonpurpose
Profile Blog Joined January 2007
Korea (South)5638 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-02-16 06:18:43
February 16 2010 05:35 GMT
#2
Will watch!

Wait, did that guy go by himself? And how did he manage to carry on a camera?


I wonder where all those people from the subway are going...
Disregard
Profile Blog Joined March 2007
China10252 Posts
February 16 2010 05:37 GMT
#3
Yea, seen all of their documentaries. Some hilarious stuff.
"If I had to take a drug in order to be free, I'm screwed. Freedom exists in the mind, otherwise it doesn't exist."
lazz
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
Australia3119 Posts
February 16 2010 05:40 GMT
#4
yeah seen this before its mildly entertaining but the tea girl scene is grossly sensationalised im sure she does other shit too
lokiM
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
United States3407 Posts
February 16 2010 05:42 GMT
#5
this was actually posted somewhere, cant remember tho =\
You can't fight the feeling.
SanguineToss
Profile Blog Joined August 2009
Canada815 Posts
February 16 2010 05:43 GMT
#6
On February 16 2010 14:37 Disregard wrote:
Yea, seen all of their documentaries. Some hilarious stuff.


hows it fucking hilarious
Disregard
Profile Blog Joined March 2007
China10252 Posts
February 16 2010 05:45 GMT
#7
Watch the other documentaries they did, you would comprehend what Im saying.
"If I had to take a drug in order to be free, I'm screwed. Freedom exists in the mind, otherwise it doesn't exist."
RoieTRS
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
United States2569 Posts
February 16 2010 05:46 GMT
#8
On February 16 2010 14:43 SanguineToss wrote:
Show nested quote +
On February 16 2010 14:37 Disregard wrote:
Yea, seen all of their documentaries. Some hilarious stuff.


hows it fucking hilarious


Watch the documentary before criticizing.
konadora, in Racenilatr's blog: "you need to stop thinking about starcraft or anything computer-related for that matter. It's becoming a bad addiction imo"
DoctorHelvetica
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
United States15034 Posts
February 16 2010 05:46 GMT
#9
On February 16 2010 14:40 lazz wrote:
yeah seen this before its mildly entertaining but the tea girl scene is grossly sensationalised im sure she does other shit too


Well, it's the filmers take on her life, it might not necessarily be true.

Not really the point though, doesn't make North Korea any less fucked up. It's actually just really sad.
RIP Aaliyah
CaucasianAsian
Profile Blog Joined September 2005
Korea (South)11595 Posts
February 16 2010 05:51 GMT
#10
I enjoyed as well
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1875007335054132657#

Calendar@ Fish Server: `iOps]..Stark
Mickey
Profile Blog Joined July 2005
United States2606 Posts
February 16 2010 06:52 GMT
#11
I enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing it. I loved how the North Korean government thought they could fool them, but it's so blatant the whole trip was a charade.
Dgtl
Profile Blog Joined December 2008
Canada889 Posts
February 16 2010 06:56 GMT
#12
Jesus, North korea is crazy. I knew it was kinda off, but not this off. The whole mass gymnastics thing really stuck out for me out of all of the events, that was bloody crazy.
^______________^
AcrossFiveJulys
Profile Blog Joined September 2005
United States3612 Posts
February 16 2010 07:35 GMT
#13
Wow. I've been waiting to see something like this; north korea fascinates me. By the way, those guys either greatly exaggerated the guard's threats about filming or they are extremely lucky to have made it out of there.

Also, I wonder if every tourist is treated in the same manner as they were?

And how does bribing Chinese foreign affair workers earn you this trip to north korea?
3clipse
Profile Blog Joined September 2008
Canada2555 Posts
February 16 2010 07:47 GMT
#14
Already seen this one. Very interesting, though. North Korea is in my top 5 places I'd like to visit.
iloahz
Profile Blog Joined March 2007
United States964 Posts
February 16 2010 08:13 GMT
#15
the tea girl is very cute.
samachking
Profile Blog Joined August 2007
Bahrain4949 Posts
February 16 2010 08:50 GMT
#16
Thanks for reminding me to watch this. I wanted to watch this a couple of times before this but always forgot about it. It's a pretty good documentary and quite enlightening although really really scary.
"And then Earthlings discovered tools. Suddenly agreeing with friends could be a form of suicide or worse. But agreements went on, not for the sake of common sense, or decency, or self preservation, but for friendliness."
Imagist
Profile Blog Joined June 2009
Australia484 Posts
February 16 2010 09:47 GMT
#17
I'd seen it before and I think it really highlights the surreal differences between NK's ideal projected image, its actual projected image, and what it really is like. I found it fascinating and would recommend to anyone to watch it.
I enjoy Starcraft when I'm not too busy being dynamic and attractive.
DoctorHelvetica
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
United States15034 Posts
February 16 2010 09:52 GMT
#18
Yeah. I wouldn't recommend it as a serious documentary (with a lot of numbers/facts) and it is biased, but it does a perfect job at just showing what North Korea is like from the PoV of a westerner, first hand.

North Korea is like one giant ghost town and I find that very very very disturbing : /
RIP Aaliyah
Jibba
Profile Blog Joined October 2007
United States22883 Posts
February 16 2010 11:20 GMT
#19
BBC had a really good documentary about the mass games.

IMO, the most ridiculous parts of the N. Korean collective conscience is their preoccupation with the US (power goes out, it's the American aggressor's fault!) and the complete lack of China in any type of acknowledgement or understanding. The country is basically on life support from Beijing, both politically and economically (most of the population survives on aid food), yet none of them seem to realize it. I don't think the government even admits that the Chinese had a significant role in the Korean War. It was the N. Koreans who did it all with their collective will, after imperialist America invaded them.
ModeratorNow I'm distant, dark in this anthrobeat
Lovin
Profile Joined May 2009
Denmark812 Posts
February 16 2010 16:37 GMT
#20
Watched it, and holy mother of Jesus that was sick. Thanks for link
AKA SuddenSalad
Ideas
Profile Blog Joined April 2008
United States8166 Posts
February 16 2010 18:09 GMT
#21
I watched this a few weeks back right after watching the one on Liberia, and I really couldn't decide which one was more depressing. One one hand North Koreans have power and toilets and stability (or well, it seems that way, but I know that everything they showed the documentary makers was a complete charade and satellite photos show that the capital is the only city with lights on at night). On the other hand, the population has 0 freedom and has no idea wtf is going on in the outsider world, basically kept in a physical and mental prison. North Korea truly is a dystopia reminiscent of science fiction.
Free Palestine
Deleted User 50491
Profile Blog Joined July 2009
721 Posts
February 16 2010 19:41 GMT
#22
On February 17 2010 03:09 Ideas wrote:
I watched this a few weeks back right after watching the one on Liberia, and I really couldn't decide which one was more depressing. One one hand North Koreans have power and toilets and stability (or well, it seems that way, but I know that everything they showed the documentary makers was a complete charade and satellite photos show that the capital is the only city with lights on at night). On the other hand, the population has 0 freedom and has no idea wtf is going on in the outsider world, basically kept in a physical and mental prison. North Korea truly is a dystopia reminiscent of science fiction.



Can you link the one for Liberia?
Jyvblamo
Profile Blog Joined June 2006
Canada13788 Posts
February 16 2010 20:00 GMT
#23
http://www.vbs.tv/watch/the-vice-guide-to-travel/the-vice-guide-to-liberia-1-of-8
Here's the link for the Liberian documentary. It's hard to tell how much of these Vice guides are true and how much is exaggerated, but they're still interesting to watch.
BrTarolg
Profile Blog Joined June 2009
United Kingdom3574 Posts
February 16 2010 20:36 GMT
#24
Wow this was something!

Amazing post, amazing documentary
Deleted User 50491
Profile Blog Joined July 2009
721 Posts
February 16 2010 21:07 GMT
#25
Man the Liberia one is fucked up.
Jibba
Profile Blog Joined October 2007
United States22883 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-02-16 21:12:13
February 16 2010 21:09 GMT
#26
On February 17 2010 03:09 Ideas wrote:
One one hand North Koreans have power and toilets and stability

But really, they don't. The people living in Pyongyang live 1000x better than anywhere else in the country, and even there they're totally dependent on donations from Russia and China. They'd be out of food and probably wouldn't have anything beyond radio technology if it weren't for those two countries. Their train system basically consists of old E. German trains from the 50s, 60s and 70s and old Chinese railway cars.
ModeratorNow I'm distant, dark in this anthrobeat
eNoq
Profile Joined June 2009
Netherlands502 Posts
February 16 2010 21:14 GMT
#27
I feel so bad for the tea girl, makes me wanna go there just to give her some company
Proburu
Intr3pid
Profile Blog Joined November 2009
Switzerland336 Posts
February 16 2010 21:35 GMT
#28
Some of the best stuff I've seen recently! Fascinating and interesting documentary!
bladebrood
Profile Blog Joined April 2008
189 Posts
February 16 2010 22:08 GMT
#29
tea girl part made me laugh so much for some reason><
Lexpar
Profile Blog Joined March 2009
1813 Posts
February 16 2010 22:20 GMT
#30
Really good. Thanks a bunch.


I remember seeing one where they managed to get away from their tour guide for a bit, or broke into the country or something, and basically filmed like all the villages and stuff where people actually live. Apparently people are so poor that cannibalism is rampant. It's just goofy to see how much of a show they put on to impress tourists. "Choreographed" as the fat guy with long hair said.
MetalMarine
Profile Joined June 2007
United States1559 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-02-17 02:43:34
February 17 2010 02:05 GMT
#31
I think it's an attraction.. that teashop.. i really dont think she lives there, she probably only comes there when there are "tourists". NK is a wierd enough place for that to happen.. WHY? because look at the restaurant situation.
DoctorHelvetica
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
United States15034 Posts
February 17 2010 02:07 GMT
#32
On February 17 2010 11:05 MetalMarine wrote:
Wheres part 2 and 3


Just replace 1-of-3 in the url with 2-of-3
RIP Aaliyah
MetalMarine
Profile Joined June 2007
United States1559 Posts
February 17 2010 02:43 GMT
#33
Thank you sir
textbook
Profile Blog Joined January 2010
Korea (North)129 Posts
March 10 2010 08:04 GMT
#34
The documentaries are pretty interesting, but all of them show how poor and bad the country is. Are there any documentaries that shows the better side of North Korea, like people in major cities and their culture, etc.?
Caphe
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
Vietnam10817 Posts
March 10 2010 08:24 GMT
#35
Watching now, I'll comment when I finish.
Terran
caelym
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
United States6421 Posts
March 10 2010 08:43 GMT
#36
On March 10 2010 17:04 textbook wrote:
The documentaries are pretty interesting, but all of them show how poor and bad the country is. Are there any documentaries that shows the better side of North Korea, like people in major cities and their culture, etc.?

Did you not watch the part about the arts school and the huge art performances? That was really amazing. You'll never see that anywhere else. Shows the power of dictatorship can bring about awe inspiring and strangely beautiful things.
bnet: caelym#1470 | Twitter: @caelym
snotboogie
Profile Blog Joined August 2009
Australia3550 Posts
May 31 2010 23:00 GMT
#37
Bumping for awareness. Just watching this myself; this is fascinating. It's like a time machine or something, it doesn't feel like that kind of thing actually exists today.
dtnmang
Profile Joined April 2010
Vietnam752 Posts
June 01 2010 01:28 GMT
#38
Fact: North Koreans do not know that the Vietnam War has ended.
KT Roflster - the lulziest team of Proleague.
XCLuSive
Profile Joined November 2009
Canada121 Posts
June 01 2010 02:15 GMT
#39
my gosh, i always knew North Korea was weird, but really? I mean... is there ANYWHERE in North Korea where there is... civilization and people? The most we got to see was the subway..
nothing less than legendary
Megalisk
Profile Blog Joined October 2008
United States6095 Posts
June 01 2010 02:19 GMT
#40
I thought Dr.H was back
Tear stained american saints and dirty guitar dreams across a universe of desert and blue sky , gas station coffee love letters and two dollar pistol kisses from thirty five dollar hotel room stationary .
Monst3r
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
119 Posts
June 01 2010 02:47 GMT
#41
Wow this is VERY interesting.
Deleted User 47542
Profile Blog Joined May 2009
1484 Posts
June 01 2010 02:54 GMT
#42
I love these kind of documentaries, will definitely watch, thanks!
syst
Profile Blog Joined March 2003
United States247 Posts
June 01 2010 12:29 GMT
#43
Check out the BBC documentary called Crossing the Line.
wanderer
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
United States641 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-06-01 16:32:17
June 01 2010 16:31 GMT
#44
I 100% approve of the bump - I will watch this after I finish breakfast.

I apologize for the irony in that statement.
Fuck you, I have a degree in mathematics and I speak 12 languages. (I called the World Cup final in 2008 btw)
enzym
Profile Joined January 2010
Germany1034 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-01-14 20:41:33
January 14 2011 20:32 GMT
#45
I resurrect this thread in light of another documentary done by AlJazeera that was uploaded to youtube just recently. Its called "101 East - Learning Liberty" and is about defectors from North Korea who are now living in the South (I'm only 5 minutes in).

I thought that it doesn't need its own thread but might still be interesting for people to see.



edit: feel free to ignore this blog and post in this thread instead. I didn't find it earlier because searching for "documentary north korea" only returned this blog. I didn't notice that it was a blog and then wasn't satisfied with it, so I searched for "north korea" instead and found the thread in the general forum.
"I fart a lot, often on my gf in bed, then we roll around laughing for 5 mins choking in gas." — exog // "…be'master, the art of reflection. If you are not a thinking man, to what purpose are you a man at all?" — S. T. Coleridge
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