Film: Comrade Kim Goes Flying

The Charles B. Wang Center at Stony Brook University is pleased to present the North Korean romantic comedy, Comrade Kim Goes Flying with a post-screening discussion with the Director/Producer Nicholas Bonner, on November 18, 2:30 pm, in Lecture Hall I with free admission.

Comrade Kim Goes Flying is a unique film about a young woman coal miner who pursues her childhood dream to be a trapeze artist against all odds is the first feature film with an all North Korean cast to be co-produced with Western partners and to be completely edited outside of North Korea.

Unlike most North Korean Films, in Comrade Kim Goes Flying, the protagonist is strong female character with a self-confident individualistic personality and there is no interference of state propaganda. The film wins audiences over with elements of mischief, humor and romance. The actors Han Jong Sim as comrade Kim Yong Mi, the central character and Pak Chung Guk as Pak Jang Phil, the supporting male character are professional trapeze artists who trained in an intensive acting course for the film. North Korea provided the script, cast, crew, and music and the Western partners provided the equipment and post production. The film took six years to have it approved and made for the North Korean audience was edited outside of North Korea in order to remove state control.

British filmmaker Nick Bonner produced the BBC documentary “The Game of Their Lives,” about North Korea’s success in the 1966 World Cup. Bonner says Comrade Kim Goes Flying was in part inspired by the popular film, Bend It Like Beckham.

About the Charles B. Wang Center

Central to the Charles B. Wang Center’s mission is the encouragement of an ever-deeper understanding and enjoyment of Asian and Asian American arts and culture by diverse local, national and international audiences through public programs. These programs include exhibitions, films, lectures, workshops, performances, and educational discussions. For more information on cultural programs visit www.thewangcenter.org. Visiting Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 am to 8:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday 12 noon to 8:00 pm.