Two documentary films screened as part of North Korean Film Day

Delve into the life of a North Korean man who longs to return to his homeland and peek into the lives of seven members of the North Korean national football team 36 years after making it to the World Cup, when two documentaries are shown as part of North Korean Film Day and Asian Heritage Month.

Right: A promotional picture by VeryMuchSo Production and Koryo Tours from when the film The Game of Their Lives was first released in 2002

The films, Chosun Forever and The Game of Their Lives, will screen Wednesday, May 13 from 6 to 8pm in 280 York Lanes, Keele campus.

Chosun Forever (2008), directed by Joohyun Kwon, looks at the life of a North Korean man living with his family in Toronto. Shot in an interview style format, viewers of the film are granted an intimate look into one man’s affection and longing to return to the fatherland, and how it affects his family.

Left: A promotional image for the film The Game of Their Lives by VeryMuchSo Productions and Koryo Tours

The Game of Their Lives (2002), directed by Daniel Gordon, is about seven surviving members of North Korean national football team who participated in the Football World Cup in 1966. Their victory over the Italian team propelled the North Korean team into the quarterfinal – the first time an Asian squad had advanced so far in a World Cup.

York history Professor Janice Kim will give the event’s opening remarks. Also on hand will be guest speakers Kwon, who will answer questions about his film, and Christopher Graper of Koryo Canada Tours.

Right: An image to promote the film The Game of Their Lives by VeryMuchSo Productions and Koryo Tours

This event is organized by York humanities students Jooyeon Rhee and Alexander Hurezeanu and hosted by the York Centre for Asian Research. May was declared as Asian Heritage Month in 2002.

For more information, visit the YCAR Web site or e-mail ycar@yorku.ca.