Watch DPRK: The Land Of Whispers

DPRK: The Land Of Whispers is a mesmerizing documentary film directed by amateur filmmaker Matt Dworzanczyk, which explores the people and culture of North Korea. Released in 2013, the film features an up-close and intimate look at what life is truly like behind the veil of secrecy and oppression in one of the world's most isolated nations. This is not your typical travel documentary; it provides a unique perspective on North Korea, giving complete immersion into a society that most people know little about.

Matt Dworzanczyk delves into many aspects of daily life in North Korea, including their economy, education, media, art, and sports. Through his lens, he shows how the country approaches each of these topics, along with much more. He explores the history and geography of the land, both of which have a significant impact on its people's lives. The overwhelming poverty and hardship that many North Koreans endure daily, while the country's elite enjoy an almost unparalleled lifestyle, is also examined.

One of the most impressive aspects of the documentary is Dworzanczyk's ability to capture the subtle nuances of life in North Korea. He provides an intimate look at the way North Koreans interact with each other, the rituals they follow and the way they relate to foreigners. The way people walk or how they behave around foreigners are small details that reveal much about North Koreans' lives.

The documentary also explores North Korea's obsession with propaganda. From the posters lining the streets to the music played on the radio, propaganda has a significant influence on every aspect of people's lives. Propaganda is the life force of the nation, and it is lived and breathed by its citizens every day.

Moreover, the film exposes the reality of living in North Korea vis-a-vis the simmering tensions with South Korea as well as the United States. While the government propagates the message of love and peace, the reality is quite different. Because of the perceived threat of war from its opponents, the North Korean government has made policies to ensure the cohesion of the nation in such times. The regime hardens the people's morale with speeches and daily broadcasts, and they also have underground bunkers where everyone is prepared for the worst. It is an eerie portrayal of a nation primed for war at any moment.

Throughout the length of the documentary, the audience is shown a fascinating portrait of a society in a straitjacket, which stirs up the viewers' sentiments. The film's soundtrack is vivid and emotive, and it brings the visuals to life in a unique way, so that listeners absorb everything in awe.

In conclusion, DPRK: The Land Of Whispers is an immersive, informative documentary. Its overall cinematic qualities give viewers a nuanced, multidimensional, and detailed insight into a society unlike anything they have seen before. Perhaps more importantly, the film punches through the propaganda and attempts to tell the story of the ordinary men and women who call North Korea home. To its credit, the documentary does not attempt to judge or criticize the country or its people. Instead, it provides the viewers with a lens through which they can view and understand the North Korean society from the inside out.

DPRK: The Land Of Whispers is a 2013 documentary with a runtime of 58 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.