New Showbiz

You are here:
Our Homeland

Our Homeland

2012

Director

Yang Yong-hi

Runtime

100 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

From the late 1950s through the '70s, more than 90,000 of the ethnic Koreans in Japan emigrated to North Korea, a country that promised them affluence, justice, and an end to discrimination. KAZOKU NO KUNI tells the story of one of their number, who returns for just a short period. For the first time in 25 years, Sonho is reunited with his family in Tokyo after being allowed to undergo an operation there. Sonho’s younger sister Rie is at the centre of the film, and is not hard to recognise as the director’s alter-ego. In her documentaries DEAR PYONGYANG and SONA, THE OTHER MYSELF, Yang Yonghi told the story of her own life, and how, at age six, she experienced the departure of her three older brothers, who left their family for Pyongyang.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

6.6/10

Good

Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Minimal

The film focuses on the domestic and political realities of ethnic Koreans in Japan and North Korean citizens. No LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisnormative narratives are present.

Gender Representation

Fair

The narrative provides insight into the domestic sphere and the psychological pressures placed upon women. It observes traditional gender roles without reinforcing them as ideals.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Excellent

The film excels in exploring the Zainichi Korean diaspora. It centers the lived experiences of this ethnic minority navigating complex identities between Japan and North Korea.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Excellent

The work offers a rigorous deconstruction of state-mandated institutions. It contrasts official propaganda with the material reality of citizens to critique centralized, totalitarian power.

Disability Representation

Minimal

There are no specific depictions of visible or invisible disabilities that serve as central narrative drivers or plot devices.

Strengths

  • Provides a profound study of intersectional identity through the lens of the Zainichi Korean diaspora.
  • Offers a sophisticated critique of state-mandated institutions and totalitarian propaganda.
  • Uses personal, autobiographical storytelling to grant agency to marginalized subjects.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lacks any discernible presence of LGBTQ+ identities or non-cisnormative narratives.
  • Does not feature depictions of visible or invisible disabilities as narrative drivers.

AI Analysis

Yang Yong-hi uses a deeply personal, autobiographical lens to examine the geopolitical struggles of the ethnic Korean diaspora. By centering the experiences of the Zainichi community, the film provides a rare look at marginalized identities caught between Japan and North Korea. The documentary succeeds in humanizing a group often rendered invisible by mainstream media. It effectively uses the tension between state propaganda and individual truth to critique systemic indoctrination and the psychological costs of absolute authority. While the film offers profound cultural and ethnic depth, it lacks representation for LGBTQ+ identities and does not feature central narratives regarding disability.

How are these scores produced? →

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.