The 6th North Korean Human Rights International Film Festival was held over three days from October 21. The festival aims to promote human rights in North Korea and the eventual reunification of the two Koreas. During the event, 15 films from 6 countries including South Korea, France, China, USA, Russia and Ireland were presented to the public.
Of the films shown, a reviewer from Daily NK was in the audience for “Madame B” in the “Defectors·Settlement category,” the main segment of the festival, as well as “Open Recruitment,” a film produced with financial support from the festival.
#1. Film ‘Madame B’ (Director Yun Jae Ho)
Yun Jae Ho, the director of “Madame B,” creates a serene portrayal of the tragic life of a female North Korean defector lacking any form of basic support or protection. The film, taking the form of a documentary, deals with the complex process of defection for the woman, and by doing so, depicts the reality of life for defectors living in the ‘blind spot of human rights protection.’
The main character, “Madame B,” originally plans to return to her husband and two sons back in North Korea after working for a year in China (to earn the money needed for her children to defect). But her plans take a turn for the worse when she gets cheated by a broker who sells her to a rural Chinese man.
The movie depicts the human longing for ‘protection’ in a scene where “Madame B” accepts her Chinese husband (over her original husband). Initially, she is married to him against her will, but eventually opens up to him after his continued care.
The film also explores issues with the South Korea government’s defector settlement system. In the movie, she is thrilled upon finally entering South Korea owing to the efforts of her Chinese husband, only to be sorely disappointed when her application to receive settlement support benefits is rejected, as she is classified as an “unprotected defector,” implying suspicion that she was involved with crimes such as drug trafficking and espionage while living in China.
The status of “unprotected defector” is an actual classification for those North Korean defectors who are granted citizenship in South Korea but are not entitled to livelihood support. They are excluded from government services including subsidies for settlement and housing, job training subsidies, and employment subsidies, etc.
According to the “Protection and Settlement Support for North Korean Defectors Act,” the following circumstances can lead to classification as an ‘unprotected defector’: ▲ An international criminal who was involved in crimes such as aircraft hijacking, drug trafficking, terrorism, or genocide, ▲ A non-political criminal who has committed serious crimes such as murder, ▲ A suspect of disguised defection, ▲ A person who has resided for more than 10 years in a third country, ▲ A person who is prescribed by Presidential Decree as unfit for recipience of state support, ▲ A person who applies for protection (support) more than one year after entry.
The film deals with the system of classifying defectors into “protected” or “unprotected” status under the guidance of security needs such as preventing espionage, and points out that the system fails to protect those who are arrive in the South with more complex personal histories.
Meanwhile, “Madame B” was invited for screening in the documentary short films section at the 69th Cannes Film Festival. It is scheduled to be released in French in February next year, and in Japan in the first half of 2017.
#2. Film “Open Recruitment” (Director Kim Tae Ung)
“Mr. Yong Ho, you have applied via open employment instead of special employment.”
“Yes, I also entered college under the regular admissions process instead of special admissions.”
This is an excerpt of a conversation between Yong Ho, the protagonist, and the interviewers at a company during his job interview. The movie “Open Recruitment” tells the story of a defector who enters a company through the standard recruitment process.
After living in South Korea for 16 years, Yong Ho passes the open recruitment process and earns a job at a company solely through his own efforts, rather than relying on the special process that some defectors are entitled to. However, Yong Ho finds difficulty in adjusting to his team, Sales Team 2, as his employment comes with the firing of an intern who was expecting to take his place on the team.
One day, Yong Ho’s life story is published in the company newsletter under the title of, “A North Korean defector enters our company through open recruitment.” Yong Ho’s colleagues, who were previously unaware of the fact that he was a defector, are startled by the revelation and begin to avoid him.
During the interview at the opening ceremony of the Film Festival, director Kim Tae Ung said, “I decided to make this film after speaking to some of my peers who are finding it really hard to get a job.” Regarding the storyline of preferring open recruitment over special employment, he said, “The story was written to show that some defectors feel they should not need to rely on special benefits.”
A member of the audience, Huh Jun, who is a college student and also a defector said, “I spent the last summer vacation doing an internship, and I can really sympathize with Yong Ho’s feelings. The movie seems to have successfully illustrated the situations that defectors face at their workplace.”
“I could also sense the prejudice shown towards defectors when Yong Ho becomes resented by his colleagues, even though he chose to enter the company fairly. I wish that people would be more understanding towards defectors and acknowledge the fact that we don’t feel entitled to unfair advantages,” he added.
Meanwhile, several well-known actors decided to take roles in the movie as they wanted to support the objectives of the film. Yong Ho was played by the actor Jo Dong In, Yeon Ju was played by Ju Ga Yong, the assistant manager Mr.Oh was played by Lee Dong Hun, section chief Mr. Seo was played by Lee Chul Min, and deputy head of department Mr.Lee was played by Park Noe Shik.
