Hanvoice Summer Barbecue

Hanvoice hosted a barbecue at Christie Pits on June 9th, and the Korea Times interviewed us.

The video of the interview is available at: http://www.koreatimes.net/movie/interview/movie_07061401.html

We also took plenty of photos, which are available at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/sylvia.seo/HANVOICEBBQ


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Hanvoice on YTN

Hanvoice was featured on a national broadcast news in Korea.

Check it out at: http://www.ytn.co.kr/global_korean/global_view.php?key=200705030858434733&s_mcd=0930&s_hcd

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DPRK AT CANNES FILM FESTIVAL: "THE SCHOOLGIRL'S DIARY"

DPRK AT CANNES FILM FESTIVAL: "THE SCHOOLGIRL'S DIARY"

     Agence France-Presse, Cannes, 23 May 2007

 

North Korea's first film bidding for buyers at the Cannes market

provides a rare look at the fortress nation seen through teenage eyes.

"The Schoolgirl's Diary," one of only two films produced by Pyongyang

last year, chronicles a girl's life through her school years,

grappling with peer pressure and family problems much the same as

those the world over.

 

"It is not pure propaganda," said James Velaise of Pretty Pictures,

who snapped up distribution rights at the Pyongyang film fest last

September, a two-yearly event barred to US movie types but open to a

handful of European and Communist nations. "It's the first time North

Korea has been shown on the market," Velaise told AFP.

 

The film, which reportedly saw eight million admissions at home last

year, or roughly one out of three North Koreans, will be released in

France at the end of the year. The movie, described by trade magazine

Variety as "well-lensed," debuts unexpectedly with schoolgirls in

uniform carrying Mickey Mouse bags.

 

Just as surprising is the heroine's - Su Ryeon, played by 18-year-old

Pak Mi Hyang -- early confession of yearning to live in a modern

apartment building, rather than a house. Computers, TV sets, good

food, football matches, quiet Sunday picnics at the park, and students

with a smattering of English -- suggest a comfortable lifestyle in the

world's secretive communist bastion.

 

The plot sees Su Ryeon, younger daughter of a researcher and a science

librarian, complaining of the absence of her work-obsessive father.

The mother too spends little time with her and soccer-playing sister

Su Ok, working through the nights at home translating scientific

documents -- by hand -- for the husband. But after the mother falls

ill of cancer and the father cracks a computer conundrum, Su Ryeon

finally comes to realise she's been selfish and self-centred all

along -- love and sacrifice can go a long way to helping the nation,

as does the "Dear General." North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, a film

buff said to own thousands of movies, contributed to the script and

editing, Velaise said. The lead actress however had never seen a

foreign movie before last year's Pyongyang film fest, which notably

starred the original "Mr Bean," Velaise said.

 

 

Hanvoice event - Washworld

Hanvoice has gathered mountains of clothing donations.  I'm writing this note from Washworld at Sheppard & Don Mills -- over 15 people have showed up to help was, sort and fold the clothes prior to delivering to North Korean families in Toronto.