Review of The Propaganda Game (2015) by Gilson S — 14 Jan 2016

When the film begins, we are given the standard, traditional take on North Korea, just like the Vice and National Geographic docs. We are given the evidence to suggest that there exists a great deal of unpleasant burdens in North Korea, most of which are carried by the proletariat class of their so-called Socialist government. We also are shown the typical tours through the best looking and well behaved (as we assume that most of the "wonders" seen there are choreographed for foreign cameramen) sectors of the country; guided the ever-present, ever-watchful "minders" of the DPRK.

Then we are given the idea that not all is as it seems; that while the mass-propaganda machine that is the country of North Korea (which broadcasts government controlled news on television screens littering the landscape and other, darker Orwellian nightmares; explicitly executed as a means of controlling the public view) instills strict compliance with the ideals of the Juche philosophy, there is another propaganda machine that makes North Korea look bad: the United States of America. We are also presented the notion that most of our ideas about what actually goes on in North Korea, ideas which I have embedded into this review, are wrong.

Yet as the film progresses, I began to notice cracks in the NK story. Inconsistencies here and there, mostly to do with trivial mistakes such as missing attire and such. However, these trivial mistakes are not the kinds of mistakes that are made by people who are under such oppression, these are the mistakes of a facade, an elaborate scheme. It's like the behavior of a compulsive liar; eventually the liar will forget about exactly what he/she was lying about (and for what purpose) and will make a mistake. On the contrary, I began to see mistakes in my own country's handling of media discussing North Korea. Sometimes incredible and untrustworthy sources become sources that gain traction on National News outlets. Sometimes ridiculous stories are told that captivate the ear of the public and are eventually believed just because they can believe, if anywhere, that it can happen in North Korea.

What is true is that both North Korea and the United States have something to hide, and this is why I'm giving "The Propaganda Game" 5 stars. It is not common to see documentaries that do not embark on a one-sided escapade of evidence collection to support claims. This documentary was not made to be propaganda, and the director ensured of that. The film does not draw conclusions for the viewer either, Alvaro Longoria earnestly does not want to be the person who creates context for the viewer (doing otherwise would "propagandize" the film) but he wants the viewer to create context for him/her self.

If you're expecting a Vice-esque sit-back-and-relax type of documentary, then you're in the wrong place. While it may show that North Korea is not on solid ground, the United States is far from having a firm foothold as well and that kind of realization can be hard for some people: but it's the truth.