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🧐 Ministry of Culture Denies Release of Drama "Leaving North Korea"
Russian audiences will not see the story of a North Korean defector on the big screen. The Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation has officially denied a distribution license for the film Leaving North Korea (originally titled Noryang).
The announcement was made by the film’s distributor, U Films.
A Vague Legal Hurdle
The premiere was scheduled for April 30; however, the Ministry imposed a ban, citing a standard but highly ambiguous legal clause. The denial was based on subparagraph “z” of paragraph 19 of the Distribution Licensing Regulations, which allows for the rejection of films in “other cases specified by federal laws.” The official response did not disclose any specific grievances regarding the film’s content.
The Plot: A Dangerous Journey
Based on real events, the film tells the story of a young woman named Hye-sun. She decides to embark on a perilous escape from North Korea to South Korea with a single objective: to earn money for her terminally ill mother’s expensive medical treatment. Upon arriving in Seoul, the protagonist faces intense social pressure, unfamiliar customs, and adaptation struggles that cast doubt on her dreams of a better life.
Film Profile:
- Director: Frederik Sølberg (Denmark).
- Screenplay: Frederik Sølberg and Sharon Choi (renowned as the translator for director Bong Joon-ho).
- Starring: Kim Min-ha (breakout star of the series Pachinko).
- Awards: Audience Award at the Busan International Film Festival.
“We deeply regret that the Russian audience will not have a legal opportunity to see this touching film,” the press service of U Films stated.
Subparagraph “z” is increasingly being used as a tool to restrict the distribution of foreign and independent films that touch upon sensitive or controversial topics.
Source: Forbes
