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A Schoolgirls Diary

A SCHOOLGIRLS DIARY (Jang In-hak, North Korea). 94 minutes. Subtitled. Sunday (November 15), 12:30 pm, Innis Town Hall.

REEL ASIAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL continues until Sunday (November 15), various venues. Complete listings. 416-703-9333, reelasian.com. Rating: NN

Jang In-hak’s trifling melodrama is far more interesting as a glimpse of contemporary North Korean culture than it is as cinema.

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It’s fascinating to unpack the life lessons laid rather obviously on top of Jang’s study of a mildly impudent teenager (Pak Mi-hyang) who learns the value of making a social contribution and personal sacrifice.

“Don’t complain about bad wiring” is the first lesson, followed by “Pay attention in school” and “Your father lives at his workplace because it benefits Dear Leader.”

As a movie, it’s stagey and unchallenging. As propaganda, it’s chilling.

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