How North Korean cinema betrays simmering resentment of country’s nouveau riche



Analysis How North Korean cinema betrays simmering resentment of country’s nouveau riche 2011 film uses story of a factory manager demoted to cobbler to critique rise of grassroots capitalism in country Tatiana Gabroussenko October 25, 2023 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON A scene from "Do People Know You" \| Image: KCTV North Koreans responded to the collapse of communism through grassroots capitalism, adopting what was then an alien concept in order to survive. Even decades later, market forces still play an important role in daily life in the DPRK. But while these developments are well documented, far less well known is how the average North Korean feels about the retreat of communism and central distribution. More mysterious still is how DPRK society perceives growing income inequality and other characteristics of a market economy. North Koreans responded to the collapse of communism through grassroots capitalism, adopting what was then an alien concept in order to survive. Even decades later, market forces still play an important role in daily life in the DPRK. But while these developments are well documented, far less well known is how the average North Korean feels about the retreat of communism and central distribution. More mysterious still is how DPRK society perceives growing income inequality and other characteristics of a market economy. Try unlimited access Only $1 for four weeks Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

Analysis

How North Korean cinema betrays simmering resentment of country’s nouveau riche

2011 film uses story of a factory manager demoted to cobbler to critique rise of grassroots capitalism in country

Tatiana Gabroussenko October 25, 2023

How North Korean cinema betrays simmering resentment of country’s nouveau riche

A scene from "Do People Know You" | Image: KCTV

North Koreans responded to the collapse of communism through grassroots capitalism, adopting what was then an alien concept in order to survive. Even decades later, market forces still play an important role in daily life in the DPRK.

But while these developments are well documented, far less well known is how the average North Korean feels about the retreat of communism and central distribution. More mysterious still is how DPRK society perceives growing income inequality and other characteristics of a market economy.

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How North Korean cinema betrays simmering resentment of country’s nouveau riche

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