May 2021
The North Korean Film Studio
The film studio in North Korea, officially “The Korean Art Film Studio (조선예술영화촬영소) and otherwise known as the Pyongyang Film Studio, was founded in 1947 and is home to North Korean film.
Pyongyang Film Studio Background
Film and cinema in general are very popular in North Korea, with North Koreans going to the cinema in their free time and prices remaining pretty cheap.
Since opening, it has produced hundreds of North Korean films, some of which have been released internationally and have won prizes and awards. Notable films include; The Flower Girl (1972), A Broad Bellflower (1987) and Hong Kil Dong (1986).
The first film it produced was My Native Home in 1949, as both South and North Korea rushed to be the first to produce a film after separation. (The South actually got there first).
North Korean Film Studio Films
Generally, film themes are surrounded by Korean history, the Korean War, the anti-Japanese struggle, and also serial productions for TV.
Film Studio Location
Located about 20 minutes outside of Pyongyang’s city centre, it covers an area of over 1 million m².
It is the main spot for the production of North Korean films, but also doubles up as a tourist spot as it is usually open for tourism. Although, it has been closed for a few months due to renovation.
Visiting the Korean Film Studios
Entry
When you first enter the Korean Film Studio, you will see a large bronze statue of Kim Il Sung amongst the cast of ‘The Flower Girl’.
There are also various mosaics relating to the North Korean film industry.
Studio Grounds
In the grounds, you can explore various sets, including ones they use for scenes in China, Japan, and even Europe.
As well as traversing the globe, you can also traverse time as you go into a post-colonial Korea or imperial Japan. Walking around these streets, past the ramen and sushi restaurants, and past the big European-style housing set amongst rolling hills in grass, is a really bizarre experience.
Once more, you’re taking a step back in time as you visit sets that are made to mimic streets of years ago. These sets are meant to approximate colonial-era Korea and South Korea, Manchuria in the 1930s, imperial Japan, and some generic Western country.
Walk down the Chinese and Japanese streets and you can see typical sushi and ramen restaurants dotted around, and head to Europe set and you’ll feel like you’re in a different country entirely. There are even replicas of old Western film posters, such as the Seven Year Itch, and advertisements.
You can also pay a bit extra to try on various outfits and costumes used for the films!
With such a large area, it is hard to cover it all. However, paying a visit to the film studios you will be taken around by a local guide who can help you see the best places the film studio has to offer.
