New Directions Summer Film Series...
The Juche Idea
(2008, 62 mins)
Director: Jim Finn, U.S.A.
Sunday, July 12, 2009 – 3pm
Blanton Museum of Art
200 E. MLK Blvd.
Roughly translated, Juche, the official North Korean religion and political ideology, means self–reliance. But the official text on the state–sponsored philosophy, written by Kim Jong–il, leaves final authority over interpretation of Juche to the Dear Leader, himself. The Juche Idea tells the story of a South Korean video artist (Kim Jong–il loves movies!) who takes a residency in North Korea. She becomes inspired by the Juche concept of revolutionary art, and intent to further adapt the ideology to modern cinematic practices. The film is partly told through some of the projects she makes while at the residency–The Small Little Teeth of America: The Tiny Dentures of Imperialism; Flesh Ring in the Sea of Blood; and The Winter of Abundance: Our Hope is the Juche State. As in his earlier films Interkosmos (Opening Night, 2006) and La Trinchera Luminosa del Presidente Gonzalo (NYUFF 2007), Finn's signature tone is in full effect–The Juche Idea is a deadpan yet poetic look at the relation of image to idea, and an investigation into the role of propaganda and politics in the creation of art.
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