North Korea screens ‘Bend it Like Beckham’
Rare treat in a nation where Western movies are usually off limits.
North Koreans got a rare treat this week: a state TV broadcast of the British soccer film “Bend it Like Beckham.”
The 2002 film starring Keira Knightley and Jonathan Rhys Myers was a break from the regular programming of news, documentaries and soap operas. Western films are largely off limits in the isolated country.
The broadcast, monitored in Seoul on Dec. 26, appeared to be edited; it was only an hour long.
In a tweet Thursday, British Ambassador to South Korea Martin Uden called the broadcast the “1st ever western-made film to air on TV” in North Korea. The British Embassy arranged it.
“Bend it Like Beckham” features a sport beloved among North Koreans, but it also taboo topics, like interracial relationships, homosexuality and religion.
Hey Dan,
I was contacted via Asiance Magazine about a freelance opportunity about a Chinese woman’s perspective point of view or from her side of the story. I may not be of a Chinese decent, but my ancestors probably are. As I have it here, it’s a script that you are currently working on. I’d be interested in learning more about the story, the plot and why it’s settled in China? Instead of here in the states? As to why he’s in China? What kind of business trip? Now and days in modern times, Asian women are more open to opportunities that come their way. However, there has always been a deep void living in a dual identity as an Asian women because we tend to struggle in being the perfect daughter our parents has raised us to be, then there is that small part where we just want to run away and be free.
In the end it’s about love between two different individuals who lives worlds apart but has one thing in common, love. Why not let her learn more of her Chinese ancestry in the process of the script itself while falling in love with such an impossible man? He’s arrogant, confident, funny, a man who isn’t afraid of telling the truth and how it is as he sees it. The role of a Chinese women is no different than any other role of an Asian women here in the states. And I take these issues from experience of my own dilemma in life itself.
A little bit about myself, I am a freelance writer, an aspiring novelist and a future English Teacher. I have a Creative Writing degree from Stratford Career Institute, my previous work has been published in Eye.D Magazine, Hmong Today, Asiance Magazine, Hmong Is You and Future Hmong Magazine. I currently volunteer my time as a staff writer and assistant editor for Eye.D Magazine, on my spare time I enjoy reading, writing, painting, and drawing and basically anything that deals with art.
Well, until I hear from you. Thank you for taking the time…
Sincerely,
See Lo