Movie spotlight
The VICE Guide to North Korea
"Getting into North Korea was one of the hardest and weirdest processes VBS has ever dealt with. They finally said, “OK, OK, you can come. But only as tourists.” At the airport, the North Korean consulate brought us to a restaurant and these women came out and started singing North Korean nationalist songs. We were thinking, “Look, we were just on a plane for 20 hours. Can we just go to bed?” but this guy with our group who was from the LA Times told us, “Everyone in here besides us is secret police. If you don’t act excited then you’re not going to get your visa. So we got drunk and jumped up onstage and sang songs with the girls. The next day we got our visas. A lot of people we had gone with didn’t get theirs. That was our first hint at just what a freaky, freaky trip we were embarking on…" -VICE Founder Shane Smith
Insights
Plot Summary
This documentary follows VICE co-founder Shane Smith as he travels to North Korea, one of the world's most isolated and secretive countries. Smith and his crew navigate the tightly controlled environment, interacting with locals and observing daily life under the regime. The film offers a rare and often jarring glimpse into a society cut off from the rest of the world, highlighting the stark realities of life for its citizens.
Critical Reception
The documentary received a generally positive reception, praised for its unique and audacious approach to documenting a notoriously inaccessible nation. Critics noted its ability to capture surreal and often uncomfortable moments, providing a compelling, albeit biased, look into North Korean society. While some found its journalistic style provocative, many acknowledged its effectiveness in bringing attention to a closed-off world.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its unprecedented access and bold journalistic approach.
Cited for its surreal and often unsettling portrayal of North Korean life.
Acknowledged for its effectiveness in highlighting the isolation of the country.
Google audience: Information regarding Google user reviews for this specific documentary is not readily available.
Fun Fact
Shane Smith and his crew were able to capture footage by posing as tourists, allowing them access to areas typically off-limits to foreigners, though they were constantly monitored by government minders.
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