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Deep Dive: Paris to Pyongyang (2024)

Film Lens

Paris to Pyongyang
The film recounts the visit of Parisian elites, including Chris Marker and Claude Lanzmann, to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in the 1950s. It focuses on the political climate of the time and the filmmakers' personal connections to the region, particularly Marker’s grandmother's allegiance during the Korean War. Through archival footage and personal narratives, the film presents a unique perspective on North Korea's early years as a communist state. It examines the cultural and ideological exchanges between France and North Korea, providing context to the filmmakers' motivations and the historical significance of their visit.

Why Watch

  • •See Chris Marker and Claude Lanzmann's unique perspectives.
  • •Find out about North Korea's early communist years.
  • •Meet the Parisian elites who visited North Korea.

Did You Know

•The visit took place in the 1950s, shortly after North Korea's formation.
•Chris Marker and Claude Lanzmann were key figures in the Parisian elite.
•Marker's grandmother claimed allegiance to North Korea during the Korean War.

Perfect For

North Korean historyFrench cinema enthusiastsCold War studies