Short Movie Analysis: Zhang Lu's "Dooman River" (2009)

 

Representation of the Choseonjok:
I felt they were represented as very weak and vulnerable, being stuck in an awkward position between China and North Korea. They are part of China but aren’t completely Chinese because the Chinese government does not really do anything/ pay attention to the North Koreans entering their territory. When the Chosenjoks help the North Koreans, they are actually taken advantage of; through the rape incident and the following cases of the missing food or sheep, viewers can see the Choseonjoks are usually voiceless characters and cannot really do anything about what the North Koreans have done. Changho’s mute sister represents the victimized and powerless characteristics of the Chosenjoks that cannot speak. Eventually, Changho’s suicide at the end also shows their helplessness, as they are part of a country that almost treats them as invisible and taken advantage of by those they cannot refuse to help.

Ambivalence of the North Koreans:
Jeongjin seems to be a very good kid who tries his best to keep his promise with Changho, takes care of his younger sibling back in North Korea, and wants to repay Changho for what he has done for him. Yet, we also see the complete negative and opposite side of North Koreans in the way they trample down on the Choseonjok’s hospitality. The characteristics of the North Koreans reminded me of Homi Bhabha’s statements about the colonial subject being “savage (cannibal) and yet the most obedient and dignified of servants (the bearer of food); he is the embodiment of rampant sexuality and yet innocent as a child; he is mystical, primitive, simple-minded and yet the most worldly and accomplished liar” (from The Location of Culture, 1994).