6 North Korean films worth watching to understand this country

North Korean cinema is not just art, but a state instrument. Some of the films impress with their scale, while others provoke bewilderment.

The editors of zoomboola.com have compiled a list of the 6 most intriguing films produced in North Korea, ranging from historical dramas to the North Korean version of "Godzilla."

The Flower Girl (1972) / Kkot Pa-neun Cheo-nyeo

What do North Korea and Leo Tolstoy have in common? It turns out that "The Flower Girl" is often called the Korean version of "Anna Karenina." The tragic image of the main character, the themes of sacrifice, and social injustice are all present in this film.

"The Flower Girl" is the story of a girl living in colonial Korea. She takes care of her sick mother and waits for her brother to return from the war. This film is a rare example of North Korean cinema that was truly appreciated abroad. It even made it to IMDb and received an impressive 6.9 rating there. While there is propaganda, the film captivates with its strong emotional content and natural acting.

"Is 'The Flower Girl' an art-house film? No. Is it a high-budget blockbuster? Obviously not. Will it appeal to those who appreciate Cold War history? Definitely," writes Anthony Kao for Cinema Escapist.

A Korean girl with a bouquet of red and white flowers — A scene from the film 'The Flower Girl'

Sea of Blood (1969) / Pibada

Who do you think contributed to the creation of this film? The great leader Kim Il-sung! Moreover, his son, the future dictator Kim Jong-il, allegedly participated in the filming as a co-director. This is simply explained: in North Korea, it is customary to credit leaders with the authorship of books, scripts, and operas to strengthen their cult of personality.

"Sea of Blood" is a war drama about Koreans' struggle against Japanese occupiers. The main character loses her entire family and becomes a partisan to avenge the invaders.

The film became a benchmark of North Korean propaganda, shown in theaters and studied in universities in North Korea. If you're interested in how art and ideology are combined in the country, this is a must-watch option.

A group of North Korean soldiers in uniform are smiling and waving their hands in greeting — Still from the film 'Sea of Blood'

Pulgasari (1985)

Kidnap a director and force him to work for the benefit of his state? That could only happen in North Korea! In 1978, South Korean director Shin Sang-ok was kidnapped by order of Kim Jong-il and compelled to make films in North Korea.

One of Shin Sang-ok's films was "Pulgasari" — a fantasy action film about a blacksmith who creates a monster from metal. At first, the iron lizard helps the peasants, but soon everything gets out of control.

The special effects were made by the same people who worked on "Godzilla" in Japan, so the film looks unexpectedly familiar and spectacular. On IMDb, it has a score of 5.3 — not much, but for North Korea, it's almost a hit.

As for Shin Sang-ok, he and his family managed to get permission to travel to Vienna to participate in negotiations for the distribution of "Pulgasari" in Europe, reach the US embassy, and obtain political asylum.

Close-up of an evil fantastic monster with big teeth and horns — Scene from the movie "Pulgasari"

The Hero Noreturn (1984) / Doraoji aneun milsa

If North Korea were to make a film like "Mission: Impossible," it would probably look like this. The film tells the story of a North Korean spy sent on a secret mission to South Korea. However, during the mission, the agent faces a moral choice: fulfill his duty to the state or follow the new truth he has discovered for himself.

This is, of course, pure Cold War on screen — with South Korea depicted as a realm of evil. But if viewed as a spy thriller, it seems quite dynamic and thrilling.

Collage: a man with a mustache and a girl in a white outfit on the cover of the film "The Hero Noreturn" — Cover of the film "The Hero Noreturn"

Spirit of Korean Celadon (2002) / Cheongjaui neok

Not all North Korean films are about war and spies. "Spirit of Korean Celadon" is a rare historical drama dedicated to the art of ceramics.

The plot takes us to the Goryeo era. A talented potter dreams of creating the perfect vessel but faces envy and threats. The film has no shootouts but offers beautiful visuals, traditional costumes, and an attempt to showcase national culture. However, finding this masterpiece in high quality might be challenging.

A North Korean man with a beard and mustache on the cover of the film "Spirit of Korean Celadon" — Cover of the film "Spirit of Korean Celadon"

The Schoolgirl's Diary (2006) / Han Nyŏhaksaengŭi Ilgi

Suddenly, a teenage drama from North Korea. The main character is a schoolgirl from Pyongyang who dreams of another life and doubts the ideals of socialism.

Of course, by the end, she realizes that serving the motherland is the most important thing. However, the very fact that such a topic even appeared in North Korean cinema is surprising. This film offers a rare insight into how the state shapes the worldview of young people.

"The film will come nowhere near repeating its impressive success at home after its August premiere (watched by 8 million people, about a third of the population). But it brilliantly portrays modern life in the hermit state," reflects Derek Elley of Variety.

A North Korean girl in a school uniform is talking to a man in a gray jacket — Still from the film "The Schoolgirl's Diary"

Comrade Kim Goes Flying (2012) / Kimdongmunŭn hanŭrŭl nanda

A romantic comedy from North Korea? And without imperialist enemies? Yes, it's possible! The film tells the story of miner Kim Yong Mi, who dreams of becoming an aerial gymnast. Despite the skepticism of those around her, she proves that dreams come true if you work hard.

The main feature of the film is its extraordinary optimism. Moreover, it is a rare case of a collaboration between North Korea and European countries: Belgium and the United Kingdom participated in creating the comedy. "The film proves that cooperation with the West is indeed possible, at least in cinema," wrote Jay Weissberg for Variety.

Comrade Kim Goes Flying – Trailer

North Korean films are a strange mix of propaganda, drama, action scenes, and even fantasy. Some make you laugh, while others surprise you with the quality of their production. Of course, such films are hard to find in good quality, and translation is another issue. But if you're interested in closed societies and their art, these films can be an unexpected revelation.

What other little-known films from closed countries have surprised you? Let's discuss!