Summary
The Schoolgirl's Diary (or The Journal of a Schoolgirl) is a 2007 North Korean film directed by Jang In-hak. It debuted at the 2006 Pyongyang Film Festival as one of two films produced domestically that year, and was released in France at the end of 2007.[1][2] In 2016, Radio Free Asia, a U.S. government-funded agency, claimed that the film had been banned in North Korea.[3] However, this was proven false, as the film has been broadcast on North Korean state television KCTV[4][5] and archived on the state-controlled news website Uriminzokkiri.[6]
| The Schoolgirl's Diary | |
|---|---|
 French film poster | |
| Chosŏn'gŭl | 한 녀학생의 일기 |
| Hancha | 한 女學生의 日記 |
| Revised Romanization | Han Nyeohaksaengeui Ilgi |
| McCune–Reischauer | Han Nyŏhaksaengŭi Ilgi |
| Directed by | Jang In-hak |
| Starring | Pak Mi-hyang |
| Distributed by | Pretty Pictures (international) Korean Film Studio |
Release dates |
|
| Country | North Korea |
| Language | Korean |
Plot edit
The film depicts a North Korean teenager's struggle to understand her father's devotion to his country, and to scientific achievement at the expense of his own family's happiness. Spending the vast majority of his time at work as a computer engineer in a distant town, he leaves his two daughters, wife, and mother-in-law to live in their dilapidated rural home. In questioning her father's values, the rebellious teen begins to defy her mother, a hardworking librarian who spends her evenings translating scientific articles for her absentee husband.
The protagonist realizes how selfish she has been only after her father makes a major breakthrough in his scientific research and is lavished with praise for his self-sacrifice and devotion to the state.
References edit
- ^ "North Korea film hunts buyers at Cannes". ChannelNewsAsia. 2007-05-23. Archived from the original on 2012-10-11. Retrieved 2007-05-26.
- ^ "예술영화 《한 녀학생의 일기》 각계 반향 (Art film "A Schoolgirl's Diary" resonates with various circles)". Korean Central News Agency. 2006-08-10. Archived from the original on 2014-10-11. Retrieved 2007-05-26.
- ^ "North Korea Bans Formerly Approved Films Now Deemed Sensitive". Radio Free Asia. 22 July 2016.
- ^ "[KCTV HD] 주체109(2020)년 4월 16일 조선중앙텔레비죤 — Korean Central Television 17.04.109 (2020)" YouTube. 2020-04-16. Retrieved 18 April 2020 (At minute 2:10:15 in the video)
- ^ "한 녀학생의 일기". Uriminzokkiri. Retrieved 2021-10-29.
- ^ Choson Movie (2020-04-17). [조선영화] 한 녀학생의 일기 (Motion picture) (in Korean).
External links edit
