From the late 1950s through the '70s, more than 90,000 of the ethnic Koreans in Japan emigrated to North Korea, a country that promised them affluence, justice, and an end to discrimination. KAZOKU NO KUNI tells the story of one of their number, who returns for just a short period. For the first time in 25 years, Sonho is reunited with his family in Tokyo after being allowed to undergo an operation there. Sonho’s younger sister Rie is at the centre of the film, and is not hard to recognise as the director’s alter-ego. In her documentaries DEAR PYONGYANG and SONA, THE OTHER MYSELF, Yang Yonghi told the story of her own life, and how, at age six, she experienced the departure of her three older brothers, who left their family for Pyongyang.
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Reviews
Viewed at CineMatsuri 2015. Korean Japanese Director Yonghi Yang's semi-autobiographical film is a wrenching experience. Perhaps, it is the most dramatic Japanese film of this Century so far. It depicts the incurable anguish of Korean Japanese families torn apart by forced exile ("repaternization") to either one of the Koreas at the end of WWII. Koreans brought to Japan during and before the war as well as those born in Japan lost their resident immigration or citizenship status, and had to return to their "homeland." Events in this movie clearly channel the current status of immigration in the USA. Direction and screenplay are excellent. Pauses (which usually turn out to be plain boring in the hands of other directors) are poignant and exploited to add immensely to the overall dramatic impact of the photo play. Leading actress Sakura Ando delivers some of the best dramatic acting seen on the Japanese screen today! Cinematography (1.78 aspect ratio, color) is overly jittery for hand-held cameras (used exclusively), and often distracting. Bolt-on music occurs during the opening and closing credits. Subtitles do not distort line reading, but are a bit on the long side. Only above-the-line names are translated in the credits (which seems to be an insult--perhaps not intended--to the many others who contributed to the making of this fine film). The audience applauded at the end. Highly recommended. WILLIAM FLANIGAN, PhD.
There was a showing of this movie nearby, so I decided to go watch it with a friend. I was thinking this would be a movie providing great insight in the Korea-Japan relationship and Japanese society in general at the time (1997).What followed was a fairly grating 100 minutes. The first half hour was a great introduction to the cast, with good acting and camera work especially considering the budget. I kept wondering how everything would work out, what the interaction between the characters would result in.Nothing much, is what resulted. Besides the family and the childhood girlfriend, the rest of the cast barely shows up again. It's a story illustrating how different ideologies and strict national policies are very capable of breaking apart entire families.But it could have been.. more. A lot more, is what I think at least. I ended up disappointed, no applause was heard at the end of the film, and it felt like the people in the audience that genuinely enjoyed the movie could be counted on two hands.I think, unless you have a vast interest in the subject, or have a personal connection to the movie's contents, this might not end up being the movie you were hoping for. That's my honest opinion. I did like picking up on the Korean and Japanese intermingling during conversations, but if besides that and the awesome queer Japanese guy being the main things I'll remember of this movie, that doesn't say a lot.
Just attended the first U.S. screening at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. Very satisfying film! Director did an amazing job on a low budge and completed filming in 2 weeks. This movie proves powerful truly satisfying & interesting films can be made without famous actors and big budget!! The film is based on the Director's true childhood experience of seeing her family separated by a deceptive government who made false promises to its People. Acting is superb and very convincing. Great story that carries you and holds your attention; leaving you with a new sense of appreciation for our personal & political freedoms. Highly recommend see this film.
This is a very personal movie for the director. She was present at the showing in Berlin at the Festival in February 2012. This movie is based on her childhood memories. Especially one character has many traits of her. The movie itself plays with a big theme, that concerns relations between Japan and (North) Korea.I almost wonder if any politician will watch the movie and comment on it. Even if this does not play in the current time, I'm sure the governments have something to say about the events portrayed in the movie, so I'm looking forward to any reaction. Meanwhile I can tell you that the movie is really tense and it has everything a good drama needs. You won't be disappointed in that department, in case you thought it might drift into a boring depiction of things.Unfortunately there are some filmmaking mistakes in the movie (like a film crew that can be spotted during one very emotional scene in the windows), that might make you wonder about the professionalism at work here. I hope it does not spoil the movie for you. And maybe with the help of CG, this will be fixed (though I doubt there is money for that in the budget). Powerful drama with slight mistakes then