N. Koreans head to cinema as nation holds 1st int'l film festival in 6 yrs

North Korea is holding its international film festival for the first time in six years following a hiatus due to COVID-19, state-run media said Thursday, providing a rare opportunity for locals to see movies from overseas.

The six-day event, the 18th of its kind, kicked off Wednesday at the Pyongyang International Cinema House, with filmmakers and jury members attending. After an opening ceremony, participants watched a movie titled "Red Silk," a Russian-Chinese joint production.

A Beijing-based travel agency involved in the festival said films from some 10 countries, including Indonesia, Morocco, Poland and Greece, were accepted to be shown at the event. Works included features, animations, shorts and documentaries.

No films from Japan, South Korea or the United States were among the movies set to be screened during the festival. In the past, Indian Bollywood films and "Mr. Bean's Holiday," a comedy starring British actor Rowan Atkinson, were featured in the Pyongyang event, according to Koryo Tours.

International travelers were offered a rare glimpse of Pyongyang in April when the North Korean capital held its first international marathon in about six years, with Koryo Tours saying amateur runners from around 45 countries applied to take part.

North Korea has accepted a small number of Russian and other tour groups since early 2024, but has yet to fully reopen to international tourists.

Source : https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20251024/p2g/00m/0in/028000c

Comprehension

What event is North Korea holding for the first time in six years?
Why was the film festival not held for several years?
Where is the festival taking place?
What was the opening film at the event?
How many countries submitted films for the festival?
Which countries’ films are not being shown at the festival?
What kinds of movies are being featured at the event?
What other international event took place in Pyongyang earlier this year?

Discussion

Why do you think North Korea decided to hold the film festival again after six years?
How can international film festivals promote cultural exchange?
What challenges might filmmakers face when showing their films in North Korea?
Why do you think films from Japan, South Korea, and the U.S. were excluded?
What types of movies do you think North Korean audiences prefer?
How do movies help people understand other countries’ cultures?
Would you be interested in visiting a film festival in another country? Why or why not?
How do you think COVID-19 affected international cultural events?
What do you think is the purpose of North Korea reopening some cultural events to foreigners?
What kind of movie would you submit if you could join an international film festival?

Vocabulary

Hiatus – a pause or break in activity.
State-run – controlled or managed by the government.
Rare – not common; unusual.
Feature – a full-length movie (as opposed to a short film).
Documentary – a film that shows real events or people.
Glimpse – a quick or brief look at something.
Reopen – to open again after being closed.
Festival – an organized event that celebrates art, culture, or entertainment.