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Post by linseed on Sept 20, 2018 20:19:15 GMT
this is on now - absolutely fascinating!
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Post by cakewalk on Sept 20, 2018 20:32:00 GMT
I'd planned to watch this but Max and Sarah decided to chat about furniture they need for their (hopefully) new flat together. So I've more or less missed the first half hour. But they've gone upstairs now, so I'm properly tuned in now.
What a colourful city we seem to be in! Not at ll what I would expect from North Korea.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 20, 2018 21:24:28 GMT
It made me shudder . . and think just how lucky we are. We have freedom - they don't.
There MUST be pockets of people who secretly don't allow their every thought to be forced by the leaders. They would never let themselves be filmed though. Just imagine the repercussions . .
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Post by geometryman on Sept 21, 2018 12:46:16 GMT
I've just been watching and found it really interesting. I think if I was there I'd soon be arrested - for a start I'd be helpless with laughter over the robotic traffic cops.
I suppose it's a sign things are changing that this programme got made at all. I notice Kim Il-sung's and Kim Jong-il's faces were everywhere, but not so much Kim Jong-un's - and I don't remember any of those Michael talked to mentioning him by name. Generally they referred to "the leaders". Perhaps he was a forbidden subject for the film crew.
Michael said Kim Jong-un personally ordered them all to be painted bright colours - perhaps one of his better decisions!
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Post by cakewalk on Sept 21, 2018 16:36:26 GMT
Yes those traffic cops were very funny. What a way to make them act.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2018 18:21:50 GMT
I didn't expect to see so many happy people especially at the end,all singing and dancing. I imagine we may see different next week as Michael did say he had been given unexpected permission to do something unusual for this country so perhaps more glum faces. I think I did see a glimpse of one smart phone in the crowd scenes but these traffic cops nearly stole the show for me,so precise,so laughable ! He does seem a bit tense !
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Post by marion on Sept 21, 2018 18:37:08 GMT
I thought that where he was very lucky, and where the North Koreans were very clever, was in the choice of the two main guides. I thought they were extremely personable, and was surprised they would all sit and share a meal and a few beers. I was expecting a more granite faced type of minder.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2018 17:05:06 GMT
Yes,that was unexpected,possibly get the granite faces next week if they get new guides.
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Post by goodhelenstar on Sept 23, 2018 10:28:28 GMT
Saw the repeat of this yesterday. It reminded me of the GDR in the 1980s – not the pastel coloured buildings, but the atmosphere and sense that life was more or less on an even keel for people as long as they kept their heads down and didn't rebel against the system in any way. Fascinating, and I wonder how much negotiating had to go on for them to be allowed to film there.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2018 16:24:13 GMT
I was fascinated too. A bit like the old USSR when everything was overseen and reported to the authorities. People afraid to say anything against the party line. The best bit was the May day celebrations , when everyone went to the park and got paralytic.
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Post by sootycat on Sept 24, 2018 12:22:57 GMT
What a fascinating and gripping programme. A depressing place to live though. When I saw the marching traffic lady I thought she was 'flossing' Apart from those pastel coloured buildings, everything else seemed to in colours of teal and orange. Great stuff from Michael
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2018 13:43:42 GMT
I've finally caught up with this. Fascinating programme. I wonder if he was able to gain access because of his reputation for 'amiable' travelogues, and leadership thought he wouldn't look too deeply or ask too many questions.
The traffic wardens were bizarre, to say the least. Who on Earth thought it was a good idea? It's like goose-stepping: why do the people in charge think it's a good way of making people take you seriously?
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