Comrade Kim Goes Flying (2012) User Reviews (6)

Well-filmed, cheery North Korean film

[somebodyatthedoor · 7/10 · 28 June 2013]

While of course Comrade Kim Goes Flying inevitably contains a certain degree of what Western audiences would see as propaganda, it is the first example of a North Korean film who's main purpose is to entertain and not indoctrinate its audience.

The tale centers on the story of a young coal miner who has always dreamed of flight and who attempts to reach her dream by becoming a trapeze artist in the Pyongyang circus. Along the way she has to pass through several trials including parental disapproval, the contempt of the acrobatic elite and the grueling training program in order to reach her goal.

The acting and cinematography is of a high standard and the acrobatic feats demonstrated are very impressive. The central story of a feisty, strong, independent girl battling against the North Korean class structure (which the film clearly depicts as still existing) will hopefully provide a good role model for North Korean women which has unfortunately been lacking in previous North Korean films.

This being said, the film is very obviously meant as a fantasy and does not reflect the truth about North Korean working class life. It does also contain some relatively clunky feeling propaganda (a strangely placed conversation about 'the leader' ,a few lines about exceeding mining quotas and an extreme over abundance of food etc.)but these parts seemed thrown it at the last moment and were not an integral part of the film.

Overall, I would say that it is well worth a watch but that it is mainly directed towards a North Korean audience and therefore some scenes may seem a little strange to Westerners.

This is probably one of the only films you will ever see with a cement mixing battle between a coal miner and a trapeze artist.

North Korean circus fun flic.

[Mozjoukine · 15 June 2013]

The most intriguing things about this isolated North Korean movie aren't on the screen, leaving you to fill in it's back story from your imagination and the grim news coverage depiction of it's source.

Blink and you're back in that unfailingly optimistic depiction of the Communist world of 1958, with beaming, uniformed workers supportive of the dreams of the plucky juvenile, who combines impeccable worker credentials with an ability to take advantage of the opportunities that her classless, prosperous society offers. Even when things seem to have taken a turn for the worse, an man in a Red Star Cap will sort them all out. This comes in shiny, fully saturated Easmancolor - professionally processed and re-recorded abroad.

The film has two things going for it - a chance to scan the backgrounds and details (the flat mine housing, the all brown meal) for clues and the criticism-defying appeal of it's unshadowed story - girl coal miner triumphs in the Big City Circus world in Pyongyang.

It could be naive fun if all that other stuff wasn't running about in the viewer's head.

Pure North Korean Propaganda

[leidenhoven · 1/10 · 7 May 2013]

Comrade Kim Goes Flying is an interesting concept: portray life in North Korea as relatively normal, while ignoring the prison state's brutal and despotic treatment of those living within its closely guarded borders, including the state-induced starvation of millions in the 1990s.

Filmed in North Korea, an adult coal miner/acrobat is discovered by the national trapeze team is the ostensible story line, but the film's focus is to make life in North Korea appear to be normal (even happy - think of a 1950's film showing American suburbia's comfortable living), rather than the well documented reality of a prison state whose apparently mentally deranged rulers are worshiped in as god-like figures due to the complete lack of information from the outside world. No reference in this film is given to the tens of thousands trying to escape via China, only to risk arrest by the Chinese authorities and sent back to North Korea for almost certain death. Most respected global human rights organizations list North Korea at among worst abusers of basic human rights.

One wonders what's next, a romantic comedy set in a Nazi concentration camp?

Directors Nicholas Bonner from the U.K. and Anja Daelemans from Belgium collaborated with North Korean Kim Gwang Hun for this propaganda film. Filming by Westerners is almost non-existent in North Korea unless covertly done (as some have to document the wide spread state-induced famines), so these three had the full support of the North Korean Communist Party - and the party got its money's worth with this film.

History may place them with the likes of the Nazi film propagandist Helene Bertha Amalie "Leni" Riefenstahl.

Oozing charm in the gallons

[ayoreinf · 9/10 · 9 July 2013]

Yes it's often preachy, yes as others have mentioned it has moments of pure straightforward propaganda. But the story is told with so much real naiveté and the leading actress has so much charm, that it all works. The underlying humanity of it all simply wins you over. You may laugh at certain minutes as some lines reek of propaganda so much it's simply funny, and it still wouldn't hurt the overall effect. I think every viewer belonging to the human race will simply have to root for Yong-Mi on her road to fulfilling her childhood dream and becoming an acrobat. It makes sense that she wins the hearts of anyone trying to stand in her way, simply because she works her magic over the entire crowd too, you know that being in their place you wouldn't be able to resist the enthusiasm and drive of the coal miner who wanted to fly. As I said this has a lot to do with the leading actress, Han Jong-Sim, were she born anywhere else she'd be a global sensation by now or at least a well known star. As it is she's just one more reason to regret the fact that North Korea is practically disconnected from the entire world. A few good words must also be extended to her supporting cast some of these are doing very nice roles too, and to the triplet of directors who succeeded putting the whole thing together, I know I'll be waiting for more at least from the lovely Han Jong-Sim.

Delightful film.

[jlsicard · 10/10 · 18 June 2019]

I really enjoyed this film. Surprised the reviews aren't much higher. It's a bit sappy, but not anymore than "The Sound of Music." Well shot, well dressed, well edited, and well scored.

DPRK escapist fun

[toujoursdan · 8/10 · 8 July 2013]

It's important to remember that this is a film made for North Koreans not us, so if you're looking for a realistic exposé of the country - poverty, repression and all - this isn't the film to find it. This is meant to be escapist comedy. (North Koreans are already well aware of the reality anyway.) That said, it does push the boundaries of DPRK cinema. In a place were Confucianism and fascist/socialism rule, this is a film that portrays a woman being assertive and using her charm and wiles to achieve an individual rather than a collective goal, triumphing over men including her elders and superiors, in the process. That alone makes it unique.

The plot is rather predictable, though getting there has its fun moments. The characters seemed to lie on the threshold between being one-dimensional and likable. There were several laugh-out-loud moments that show even in a place of poverty and repression, husbands and wives bicker and that one shouldn't mess with a mother-in-law.

The cinematography and scenery beckon back to Hollywood movies of the 1960s and there is an innocent Doris Day quality to it. It's a feel good, non-political movie that is definitely worth the 90 minute investment.