North Korea filmstock- possible clues as to the look

Post by **Muckymuck** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 10:54 pm

I recently saw a film called State of Mind which was a Western documentary about about North Korea. It was made in 2003 and it had some shots of the 2002 Mass Games in Pyonyang which were clearly taken on film (dust marks, occasional tramline etc) and were clearly indiginous.

The pictures and sound looked like they could have been from the 1950s but it was definately 2002 and it was definately film. The colour was very bright- like technicolor.

If someone ever gets to find out about the North Korea super 8 film, this may be what it looks like. Probably 1950s technology living on...

Post by **reflex** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 11:54 pm

Here's a satellite shot of the Korean peninsula from 2003. The enormous dark spot is North Korea, exhibiting a distinct lack of electrical infrastructure (except in the center of Pyongyang).

I question whether the film stock is actually North Korean. It seems more likely that the film was purchased in bulk a few years ago from Kodak or even Fuji.

It would be challenging enough for these guys to process the film, let alone manufacture a stock of their own. It's almost like asking William Shakespeare to whip up a mobile phone between sonnets.

Post by BK » Sun Jan 07, 2007 9:50 am

reflex wrote: It would be challenging enough for these guys to process the film, let alone manufacture a stock of their own.

Well, if they have the technology to put missiles in the air capable of carrying nuclear war heads reaching the West Coast of the US, how hard would it be for them to manufacture a film stock and do the processing themselves?

Bill

Post by **Kalu** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 12:33 pm

http://youtube.com/watch?v=OzXqsz56iWU

Is it a 16mm Arriflex at 1:12? Wasn't their leader a big movie fan?

Post by **MovieStuff** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 3:17 pm

BK wrote:
reflex wrote: It would be challenging enough for these guys to process the film, let alone manufacture a stock of their own.
Well, if they have the technology to put missiles in the air capable of carrying nuclear war heads reaching the West Coast of the US, how hard would it be for them to manufacture a film stock and do the processing themselves?

Bill

Technically possible and certainly their Grand Poobah is a movie buff but I think reflex's point about no electricity relates to exhibition as much as manufacturing. Even if they made film on a large scale to accomodate the home movie needs of the general North Korean public, how would they watch their movies if the majority of them have no electricity? Also, the economy of North Korea is in ruins with people starving and out of work by the millions. Not many Kodak Moments going on in the north, I think.

Roger

Post by aj » Sun Jan 07, 2007 3:55 pm

BK wrote:
reflex wrote: It would be challenging enough for these guys to process the film, let alone manufacture a stock of their own.
Well, if they have the technology to put missiles in the air capable of carrying nuclear war heads reaching the West Coast of the US, how hard would it be for them to manufacture a film stock and do the processing themselves?

Bill

They may have a number of missiles. These cannot carry their own nuclear device however. If this bomb exists and should work it has the size of a 66ft sea-container.

North Korea may be dark on the satellite image but this only means they don't use electricty for useless outdoor lighting of streets and bill-boards. It is too scarce.

Pouring thin photographic film emulsions is ancient technology compared to producing a working a nuclear bomb.

Post by **Muckymuck** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 5:57 pm

[quote="Kalu"]http://youtube.com/watch?v=OzXqsz56iWU

Is it a 16mm Arriflex at 1:12? Wasn't their leader a big movie fan?[/quote]

Yes this is some of the footage I am talking about. The documentary is Western, but there is North Korean footage taken previously which is incorporated into it- this is the film which looks completely different.

An older post said there was a factory confirmed by the embassy so they must be making film of their own.

Post by **reflex** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 6:14 pm

BK wrote:Well, if they have the technology to put missiles in the air capable of carrying nuclear war heads reaching the West Coast of the US, how hard would it be for them to manufacture a film stock and do the processing themselves?

I'd be willing to bet that North Korea doesn't manufacture the ICs and other components in their rockets' guidance systems, either. ;)

Post by **Nigel** » Sun Jan 07, 2007 8:47 pm

I would like to go to North Korea and check it out...

A good friend off mine had the chance to travel the USSR in the mid-80's and said that it was surreal. I'm sure that N.K. would be the same way.

Good Luck

Post by aj » Sun Jan 07, 2007 8:58 pm

It is mostly shocking (travelled through DDR once) because one can observe that they could live in the same prosperity like their neighbours/brothers while infrastructure and society seems about the same.

Travelling through poor rural areas in Africa is really shocking (been to south-eastern Africa 3 times) because there is very little of any infrastructure and people partially live like 2000 years ago. Only there are now cars passing by. Even in prospering areas tribal live isn't too healthy though. But more bearable.

Post by **Muckymuck** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 12:11 am

I think there is a company which runs trips there, I saw it in a newspaper once. They are only allowed to take one party of 15 people a year and you are supervised in everything you do. Apparently you also have to bow before a statue of Kim Il Sung (their dead eternal president) as well. Might be allowed to buy some of the mysterious super 8 film though... :D

Post by **mik** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 1:59 am

Nigel wrote:A good friend off mine had the chance to travel the USSR in the mid-80's and said that it was surreal. I'm sure that N.K. would be the same way.

there is still stalinist-type communistic regime, in europe it ended few years after stalins dead in 1953. i think it looks more like china decades ago.

by the way - there is great french comics about real trip of cartoon maker to north corea called "phenian". lot of strange detailes, f.e. you have to give out mobile phone on airport, which you can take back when returning.

mik.

Post by **Will2** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 4:31 pm

Muckymuck wrote:I think there is a company which runs trips there, I saw it in a newspaper once. They are only allowed to take one party of 15 people a year and you are supervised in everything you do. Apparently you also have to bow before a statue of Kim Il Sung (their dead eternal president) as well. Might be allowed to buy some of the mysterious super 8 film though...

We should hold a raffle for a free trip to North Korea but the winner will have to confront Kim Jung Il about the mysterious Super 8 stock and bring back a case.

Post by **Muckymuck** » Mon Jan 08, 2007 10:02 pm

Great idea, though US citizens (and South Koreans) would not be able to take part as they are banned from North Korea.

Amazingly, though, no E.U. country's citizens (including Britain) are banned unless they are a journalist, and I also read North Koreans use the Euro when they want hard currency rather than their own but will not touch US dollars.

So come on then E.U./Canadian/African/Asian forum members, how about that raffle? I remember the trip cost about Ã‚Â£1500 (about Ã¢â€šÂ¬2000 or $3000) and took place once a year. Must try to find that brochure! It was in one about trips to Russia and China...

Post by **dagman** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 6:28 pm

I'll be your ambassador, gang.. flights should be cheaper from Australia (at least getting to SE asia is more practical). Anyone know if Australian citizens are able to obtain temporary visas there? Or are we dangerous sons of capitalism too?

I'd take at least three super8 cameras, a minidisc recorder and shoot a doco of the whole thing. Any would be sponsors?

btw, if you're curious about the filmstock used, why not ask the makers of the doco? they also run tours of NK... http://www.koryogroup.com/