A Broad Bellflower (North Korea)

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Korean Film.
A Broad Bellflower.
We must cross five hills to reach Pyokgye-ri, you said? Yes, this is the last hill, the "Tear Hill"..
In the past brides who came to live here.
Couldn't but leave in tears at last. Rest again?.
We couldn't make it before sunset. Go around that mountain and cross a bridge,.
And you'll see my native place. It's 20 years since you left the place? 27 years already..
Would anyone recognize you? Recognize?.
Maybe..
Dad!.
Is it a broad bellflower, dad? Its flower is beautiful, isn't it? - Yes..
But it's without blossoms. Broad bellflower blooms for its root. "Flower blooms for its root." This was told me by Jin Song Rim, a girl who was called "Broad bellflower". Jin Song Rim!.
Whenever I recall my first love I remember the night.
Of autumn festival..
Mt. Tugyon!.
Kwang Sok!.
You said you'd bring Song Rim... when a full moon rose over Mt. Tugyon..
What now?.
How beautiful the moon is! Just looks like the face of Song Rim who burns your soul. Not like Song Hwa's?.
- Song Hwa?.
She can't even come close to her sister..
Stubborn as an ass!.
Ass?.
Don't say so..
I know you love her..
How do you know it?.
- It's a secret..
Won't you say?.
- Never!.
You'll say..
Still you won't?.
If you won't, I'll go to her myself. As you like..
Damn it! It's so dim. I can't write..
When will power lines be laid, sis? Soon. It's come over.
The "Tear Hill", they say. If only not for the war... - What a remote village! Will you turn up the wick, please? What do you write every night? Draft resolution of the Youth League. Resolution?.
Why should you do it, not the chairman?.
That naughty Kwang Sok! He always pesters me. Hey, sis!.
You really want to get married? What a nonsense!.
But they say you want to. You won't, sis, eh?.
- what?.
Marry....
Mind your writing..
Sister!.
Please... don't....
Father died in the battle and mother by bombing. How could I live alone if you marry?.
Don't marry..
No. I won't..
No..
Really?.
It's a promise, then. If you break it, you're a crow. A crow!.
That foolish cuckoo.
Does not tell night from day. What's up?.
I just forgot to go for a meeting tonight..
- Yes. Come with me, then. I'll ask the hunter to shoot down that silly bird. Song Rim!.
To tell the truth... I... Finished the blueprint for Chestnut Valley?.
Yes, roughly..
Here!.
Included the plan to make paddies, too? -Yes..
All drawn on one page? What a bright moon!.
'Cause it's a full moon. Will you draw some more pictures separately?.
One for electrification, one for paddy making, etc. And let's post them on the board of our work team. On the board?.
Yes..
Do you like it?.
By the way... Song Rim! - Dear me!.
Listen..
I've longed for this full moon. It will rise next month, too. Village Prospective View How nice!.
- Great!.
Who's drawn it?.
- It's Won Bong's conception. Now I understand why.
Song Rim is fascinated by him. Our team should be the first in acorn picking today, eh? There!.
We can pick many from the trees beyond other's reach. But it's too high..
- Don't worry..
You dare....
Hurry bring the sack. - Take care..
Don't sound a cuckoo. - Why?.
Song Hwa's smelt all, I'm afraid. - Really?.
I've seen your drawings. - Have you?.
How did you like them? - Nice..
Look, it's your favorite, bellflower. Why, it's out of its season. Where did you get it? It bloomed in my heart. Thanks..
I like it best of all wild flowers. Let's plant it in the yard next spring. Its beauty can be enjoyed only in mountains..
So it blooms in deep mountains. Azalea blooms at the hill foot, as if to say, "Look at me." But the bellflower blooms alone in deep mountains as if to say, "Don't look. I'm shy." That's why it's prettier. - You like it, too?.
Yes, I like whatever you like. I want to marry you.
As soon as possible... I know... all....
Will you marry me?.
What's this?.
You'll see..
You lured her every night and now... You might fall..
Come down..
Shut up!.
You're a liar..
If you don't like me, I'll give up. But as you know.
I lost my parents during the Japanese rule..
I'm lonely. That's why... I won't listen..
I hate you all..
Song Hwa!.
Nice honeymoon.
Of new couples!.
Yes, indeed!.
Let me have another look at the brides. Those who seemed poor sparrows on their first arrival are now on their honeymoon with their manly husbands. They look like swans. Are those tractors for our farm? Our farm property keeps growing day by day..
These are gifts from.
The fatherly leader..
Our chairwoman made a speech? Yes, in tears....
Our farm is listed as poor one on the great leader's memo. So he would send us everything first. But it's an old story. So our chairwoman told him in tears. "We're rich now..
You needn't worry any more." Where's the chairwoman? There, it's her car... - Chairwoman!.
You know, Song Hwa,.
I lost my parents during the Japanese rule....
Why, dad?.
Do you know her?.
- Song Hwa!.
Song Hwa?.
Then she is the...?!.
Taking gifts for your parents? And honey?.
- 2kg each..
I've brought some wine from town. Offer them to your parents. We'll also brew fruit wine from next year..
Driver!.
- Coming..
Isn't it for the old in the farm? - It's too much..
Please..
Take them all..
I want to show that.
We're well-off now..
Many people left our village shedding tears for poverty. Old story again....
Not old story....
The brides could only take corncakes on their honeymoon. It's not so old story. Now leave..
Good journey..
And, bring all the girls who want to come here. No, it won't do..
What about our girls? I can't take care of them all. Echoes resound far and far all over the hills.
It's our song of labor building treasure mountains.
Ah, my dear home.
No place is nicer than you Se Ryong....
- Yes?.
This... is "Song Rim Bridge". In the past there were stepping stones here. Now... you go alone..
Alone?.
I've come as far as I could. Then you've come here... To show you... your home. - Dad!.
Do you keep my letter? Yes, here....
Over that mountain,.
Near a huge rock,.
There's your grandma's grave. Go and pay tribute.
To her for me..
Yes, I'll. Don't worry. Don't show my letter.
To anyone readily..
If you have no way,.
Go to the ri-Party committee and say it's my letter of redemption to the villagers. See..
Where will you go now? Don't worry about me. Write soon..
Bye..
Stop the calf!.
Stop it!.
Stop!.
My God!.
Out....
Sorry..
You volunteered to this remote farm from a big city? Incredible?.
- No..
There's such a saying here. "You migrant, don't build your nest here.".
I'm not a migrant..
I'm Tal Lae. And you? Pak Se Ryong..
Pak...?.
Of all family names!.
What's wrong with Pak? It's my mother's abhorrence. Mother?.
Never mind..
I'll say a word for you. My mother is the.
Chairman of this farm. Then... your mother is Jin Song Hwa...?.
You know her?.
- Yes... a bit..
And your aunt is Song Rim... Even my aunt?!.
Who on earth are you? Pak Se Ryong....
Your home is Pyokgye-ri? What's your father's name? He's passed away?.
Then why?.
My father is Pak Won Bong. What?!.
Is it true?.
Did he send you here? Won Bong's son has come claiming here to be his home. Why does he torment us to the last? Forward!.
Some more..
It might break your back. None of your business. Quick!.
- OK..
Why is Won Bong so sluggish? Tired?.
Are you a deaf?.
Won Bong!.
All works are painful to lazybones. None of your imprudence. Rest!.
Build fire..
Let's make pop corn..
- OK!.
Me, too..
Wait! Where's your sister, Gone to the meeting..
I don't know..
Bulling me only....
Let's sing a song..
Recreation!.
On both sides of Namdae River Song of rich harvest is heard loud A boy lives on one side A girl lives on the other side Diligent couple fell in love while working.
What's good of marriage, Living single is best Before I've become a tractor driver I won't marry you.
What do you ponder these days? It's still warm..
Please....
Willow forest reclamation was decided..
The chairman praised.
Your design is the best. I blushed..
Isn't it pretty?.
I kept after to bring it. We shall raise sheep, too. Build us a stall..
Vain dream..
Sheep raising won't.
Change our lot..
Get to work!.
I've something to tell you. Come to the waterfall after working..
Where's she gone?.
Are you here?.
Where are you?.
As my little sister is late... Not all cuckoos are your love! Who is it?.
It's me, sis..
You little devil....
Why am I little?.
I'm 21 years old at least. I'm going for a meeting. Is it held only at moonlit night? Oh, don't..
- Pooh!.
The meal is ready..
When did you receive this letter? Ten days ago....
And what's your idea? I'll go to the city right now if only you agree..
Uncle has found a job for me. - Has he?.
What now? You'll go?.
But it's so sudden..
Here is our home..
We were born and bred here. Home?.
Don't talk rot..
Any place can be one's home if he grows fond of it. Oh no!.
- Still attached to this remote place? Then you not at all?.
Corn field, thrice weeding in midsummer heat,.
Stone carrying....
Do you like them?.
What kind of life is it? Can we enjoy a movie? Who would appreciate.
Our new dress?.
Always digging, sowing, cropping and nothing. Enough..
A remote mountain.
With no electricity!.
It'll soon be installed. We'll fell trees for electric poles from tomorrow..
Pooh, from tomorrow?.
It will take 100 years to bring them over the "Tear Hill". You're almost my wife, aren't you?.
You'd follow your man's will. I'll make you happy.
Wherever I go..
Listen to me..
Don't oppose..
We are on a turning point of youth. Everybody has the right to choose his life..
Falling!.
Fell it there, too..
Leader! Shall we have a rest? No, I'm OK..
How many have we felled? - 21..
We must take them down before thaw..
Before thaw?.
- What a passion!.
Electric poles must be erected from spring..
Where there's will there's way. - Quite right..
Electricity has reached Let's go to the town to see a movie tonight..
To the town?.
It's only 16km from here. A new film and they.
Say it's interesting. - Let's go..
Pooh! I didn't ask you. You never meet without quarrel. Finish this, Song Hwa. Where are you going?.
- To the Chestnut village. No need to ask..
Isn't it clear?.
What?.
- Ask it to the cuckoo. Why? I like its singing. Like...?.
Just for it's song?.
It lays eggs in others' nest, never building its own. Of course..
Diligent dove hatches its eggs to raise them. You still like it?.
My brother-in-law is not a cuckoo. Brother-in-law already? Yes, of course..
Pull it..
Look!.
Don't you envy it?.
- Yes, I do..
It'll take a century for us to catch up the city. A century?.
Hey!.
- Ssh....
We've no electric lamp but we like the moonlight. We've no theatre.
But our song sounds beautiful. Ah, my home, mother's embrace I'll live here forever, my home. Is it true, sis?.
Please, don't read..
What? Ultimatum?.
What's your idea, sis? Break up with him..
The cuckoo!.
Is he the only man?.
What? You'll smart for it? Follow him then..
Desert your home and.
Follow Won Bong..
Did I hurt you?.
- I hate you..
Let me see..
What shall I do, If you go? I can't stand anymore. Let me go..
Let's wait for 10 years more. Here will also....
Nonsense!.
I....
...can't live without you. Think it over again..
Neither can I..
We're both orphans..
I've loved you like my blood sister. But you won't follow me? This is my last request. You'll go with me..
Will you or not?.
OK..
I can give you up.
But not my hope and dream. Are you serious?.
Then....
Good-bye..
Good-bye?.
Don't regret later..
Fortune comes only once in one's life..
I'm going..
You're going?.
You can go but you must trample on these..
You draw all these?.
- Yes, I did..
These were all fake..
Your hope and love were all fake... Trample on them to prove it. Are you crazy?.
- You can't go easily. Get aside..
Beat once more and I'll... Won't you make way?.
You want to die?.
Make Way!.
Will you beat me? Please... You can kill me..
But I won't let you go. Stand away now..
No. Do one thing more. One more? What is it? Sign here..
Sign what?.
Swear you won't return home, you won't be buried here even after death..
Did you think it'd be easy to abandon home?.
Read and sign..
I desert my native home. I swear I'll never return. OK. I'll..
Shall I ever come back? Alright?.
If you'd ever return later I'd let your dirty oath engraved on that rock to show our posterity. Good bye..
Hope not to see you again. Where are you, sis?.
Don't cry..
No way..
He complained.
This is a poor place. Everyone can seek.
His own happiness..
But he can't return.
When we're well-off..
When we're well-off?.
Song Hwa....
Do you believe we'll be well-off? We'll surely make our native place a happy paradise. I believe it, too..
Within ten years, not more than a century as someone said... Within ten years we'll do it. The flower rooted.
In deep mountains.
Does it bloom here for show To bring a new spring to its snowy home.
It bloomed unbendingly The flower standing unobserved Did it bloom sweetly for show To sing a happy song.
In its paradisiacal home It bloomed smiling.
I'm going to the club. Please tell mum to accept Se Ryong. I see..
Oh, dad....
You're back?.
Well, dear....
Is it true the new volunteer is Won Bong's son?.
True it was..
Dear!.
Thinking of Won Bong? I remember your words in the meeting held that night. My words?.
You said with breaking heart then. "He who loved home can come back even after death." "But he who deserted his home has no right to return." Won Bong didn't know that happiness is not a windfall but is created by our own hands. Did you tell Tal Lae the truth? How could I...?.
Don't tell her yet..
This club was designed by Pak Won Bong....
There was such man in our farm decades ago. Intelligent, skillful...but left here. County experts improved his original design later. How do you like it?.
It was built by yourselves? - Unbelievable?.
I never lie..
Great, indeed..
Let's go to see the nursery and kindergarten there and rest at the carp pond. When did you build this pond? At the time of ex-chairman... - Ex-chairman?.
My aunt..
Even officials were doubtful of fish breeding.
But she made it after all. She said we'd do within a decade what others do within 100 years and did it out,.
Even swooning on the spot. Why? Headache?.
Rest at the hostel..
And let's go to the paddies. Paddies?.
Do you have paddies here? Willow forest in that valley was reclaimed into paddies. Willow forest?.
Where's the girl found such handsome guy?.
Fortune has come of itself. Tal Lae!.
Let's have impromptu chestnut roast during the break. Have you ever enjoyed it? - Only heard of it..
It's such a great fun. Come on..
Well-done..
Eat the well-done or it will pop out. What a honeyed taste! What are you gawking at? Help yourself..
He's no experience..
Did it burn you?.
It's OK..
Damned chestnut!.
Eat what I give you..
So much for eating..
Let's sing..
"Echo of My Native Home" Echoes resound far.
And far over all hills It's the song of our labor building treasure mountains Echo reaches far to the blue sky It's the song of everlasting happiness of my native home Why don't you let the boy go? Why should I?.
Why?.
Se Ryong wants to root in our native home..
And why do you...?.
- Root?.
Many young people say so nowadays. Tell him.
Our Pyokgye-ri has no place for migrants..
I did already..
- So?.
He said he is not a migrant. Why do you hate him, mum? Do you know who he is? He's the son of Pak Won Bong who deserted your aunt. No, he can't be..
Ask him..
Is it true, Se Ryong? The man who betrayed his love for his own happiness... Stop it..
I've never seen him..
But hearing the aching story of my aunt since my childhood I cursed the man, Pak Wong Bong. I wanted to go and see one day how happy he was... ...after spitting at his native home. I wanted to see....
That's why I've come instead. To beg a pardon and.
Regain home village..
Go away!.
YOU, too?.
Village folk who built a paradise on this land will not forgive you. I know..
No, you don't know... how we've come to enjoy this happiness today. Listening to my mother's story since my childhood.
I came to realize that struggle is the only source of happiness. Let's have a rest, sister. Let's finish it..
Tomorrow we have a rest and start plowing from the next day. You know nothing but work. Those will be enough to roof all houses of our village. Not for our village only. I want to tile all houses in our ri. What a nice plan!.
The great leader said having rice and meat in tile-roofed houses is the dream of our people. We started stock-breeding already. And we'll roof all houses this year..
If we do rice-farming, the dream will be realized. So the dream is not.
A matter of future..
Yeah, it depends on our will. Is it true that some people had once appealed to the Govt. To abolish this Pyokgy-ri 'cause it's hard to live here? I heard it from my father. The General came as far as Mt. Chik just after the liberation. Some people went to see him with such petition. To the General?.
After reading it, he was lost in thought for a good while and said, "Lowland and highland are all part of our country." "You're willing to give up that plot so easily." "But we guerrillas fought in the vast Manchurian plain for over 15 years to regain every inch of this land." Indeed, our land is.
Permeated with their wish. And many people devoted their lives for it in the war. So we should make this land rich and fruitful. May I ask you one question? You won't be angry?.
So you love village.
More than your lover? Absurd!.
Do you still wait.
For Won Bong?.
Then why do you let.
Song Hwa marry first? She has a lover..
You're waiting for him, aren't you? - What a fool!.
It's 5 years since he left. Should he come back?.
Lunch!.
Thank you very much!.
Where's the workteam leader? - Here!.
A telegram for you..
- Telegram?.
Due at 4 o'clock. Won Bong It's you!.
Yes. Song Rim!.
It's me..
How are you, Song Rim? You came at last..
I believed you'd come back. To tell the truth....
I know. I know..
Oh, let's go..
No. Ijust dropped in.
For a while on my way. You mean....
To be frank....
Let's go out..
This is the last chance between us. It's of no use crying later. Stayed in your uncle's so far? - Yes, for some time... My job was not satisfactory. I have to change it..
A friend in Wonsan offered a good job. I'm going there. Let's go together, Song Rim. There're many town girls, but I bore for 5 years to take you. You'll go with me?.
I bought your ticket, too. Won Bong....
- Song Rim!.
And let all villagers envy us. Now, make decision..
Will live in my home village though it is poor..
Lie!.
I'd rather enjoy my own food living in my village.
Than begging for.
Good food in the city. What's the good of.
That mountain village? Home is home any way. Don't insult your native home. Live all your life there then. This is my last advice. Your wandering life will never lead you to happiness. You'll regret one day. Me?.
Let's see who'd regret. Wonderful wedding feast! Why is she late?.
Work team leader!.
She's arrived..
Sorry for being late. Let's start now..
Welcome!.
Congratulations, Song Hwa! Love Song Hwa forever, Kwang Sok. Take a seat..
Song Hwa, offer a cup to your sister first. Oh, don't....
Please!.
Don't....
Thank you..
I'd like to sing a song, if you don't mind..
The flower blooming unobserved To emit perfume over my native home in a willow forest It blooms in mountains Did it bloom here for show It bloomed unyieldingly Old thatch is thrown away. Give me the pug, work team leader. Finished there?.
Be quick..
Here, it goes..
Up....
Oh, be gone ye traces of old history forever!.
Oh, my home village.
With no thatch roof.
Enough of your Ohs..
Oh, let's work..
Raise sheep and fish... Make paddies, too....
Yes, make paddies, too. Ha, ha, ho, ho, it's no funny thing. It's not easy to build nursery and club by ourselves. Let's take one shot..
My aunt used to say home village built with our own efforts is most beautiful..
She worked hard for her home village to her last day. Seen the newspaper, Tal Lae? No. Why?.
Another hero of our Pyokye-ri. Kil Ok's brother in the army has become a hero..
Kil Ok's brother?.
We're told to prepare a welcoming event..
Great, Kil Bok!.
How are you, chairwoman? Kil Bok!.
He's really become a hero. Congratulations!.
He well deserves to.
Return home, doesn't he? A man who has brought honor to his country and village deserves such triumphal celebration. Give him tosses in the air. I've no right to go back to my home village, Se Ryong. I feel homesick the more as I'm getting old..
This is the history book of our village. Heroes are listed in the front. Record the second hero, vice chairman..
No. Chairwoman should do it. Should I?.
Comrade Jin Song Rim, Labor Hero of DPRK.
I've recorded the second hero. Though my name is written in line with Comrade Jin Song Rim mine is nothing compared with her devotion to revolution and party. I swear I'd do my best to glorify my home like her..
Good words..
- Brother!.
No. You can't....
- Let me go..
How dare you....
- Don't stop him, Tal Lae. You come in..
I can't stand this pain anymore. I'm the son of Pak Won Bong, who left here for his own comfort 27 years ago. Son of Won Bong?.
A man shouldn't be a traitor though unable to become a hero. But my father left.
Disgrace to villagers. Forgive him..
Forgive his fault..
Stand up..
Impossible?.
If only Jin Song Rim.
Were alive,.
If only she hadn't sacrificed herself for the village I'd go away as you like. But I can't leave this place permeated with her blood and soul. I want to kneel down before her grave to beg her forgiveness. Do you hear it, sister? It rained as this when you risked your life to save the sheep, when our village stall was in danger by the typhoon..
There's a go, chairwoman! The first stall is in danger. - I must go..
Herd them to the opening. What's the sound?.
- A landslide from the back hill. The landslide may crush the stall. - See..
Quickly..
Out..
All out, Sun Ok?.
We've saved them, Tal Lae's father. Chairwoman!.
What shall I do?.
Whity is missing..
The pregnant one?.
- Yes, that villain... - Dangerous!.
- Look there..
Let's go. It's dangerous here. Quick, Sun Ok..
Nothing is a sheep..
It's not a normal sheep. But one of the highbred sent from Gov. for our mountain dwellers. Here it is!.
Let's go..
You, too..
Where's the chairman? - In the first stall. Will you resist?.
In your deathbed you told me to forgive Won Bong..
You were really.
A beautiful flower!.
In its paradisiacal home village Forgive me... my native place. Script: "Kim II Sung Prize" Winner Ri Chun Gu.
Direction: People's Actor Jo Kyong Sun.
Camera: Pak Sye Ung.
People's Artist Choe Thae Guk (Subtitles by @DPRK_Media) Cast.
Jin Song Rim: Merited Actress O Mi Ran.


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