Thursday, October 29, 2009

TIGER SPIRIT by Min Sook Lee



The state of War between the artificially separated Koreas has split families for nearly 6 decades.Very few get to hear news about their loved ones , yet alone to hear them or even one day to get a fleeting face to face meeting.

Canadian based Min Sook Lee follows the trails and plights of several families trying to meet with their loved ones , always beholden to becoming victims of reunions being suspended or postponed depending on how relations and negotiations are with the two States.

The DMZ is a emotional broken heart between an ancient unified People.To Koreans the country is said to look like a Tiger about to Spring if you look at its shape on a map.The Japanese reshaped the mentality of the Koreans by re-labelling the country as resembling a tame cowered rabbit.In the long history of Korea the split is a short stain on a continuous long history that will be overcome in time.

Here is a short portion of the beginning of the wonderful documentary:



In the South of Korea any defector from the North is made to sign a declaratory document making themselves available for any propaganda opportunities the South may wish to utilise them for , on pain of losing any state support and benefits.They are also assigned an intelligence officer for life who will keep a permanent eye on their activities.Restrictions in the North are even more stringent.

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