CONSTRUCTING SOCIAL IDENTITY UNDER DICTATORSHIP — DEPICTION OF YOUTH AND MESSAGES TO THEM IN NORTH KOREAN CINEMA BETWEEN 1971—2016

Abstract

This thesis examines the ways in which the social identity of the youth is constructed, and what that social identity is like, in seven films produced in The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea between the years 1971 and 2016. In the thesis, the North Korean regime is labeled as a repressive authority which is why the construction of social identity is given focus in the context of totalitarianism, but also through post totalitarianism and authoritarianism. Based on the secondary sources, the importance of cinema mainly as an educational tool for the North Korean regime, is emphasized. Understanding this relevance, North Korean films can be examined to find out what issues are relevant for the regime, especially considering the youth, always representing the future. The thesis approaches the issue of social identity through the ideas presented by Alexa Ispas in her book Psychology and Politics: A Social Identity Perspective (2013) which emphasizes the habit of authoritarian powers to promote prototypical behaviour which they seem suitable, when influencing the formation of social identity. The totalitarian aspect is examined mainly through Hannah Arendt’s The Origins of Totalitarianism (1951) where issues such as the notion of future and the importance of tying the masses with the totalitarian leader, proved to be relevant for the thesis. The films were then analyzed by utilizing the theoretical background as well as relevant secondary sources on North Korean cinema, culture and society. The results of the analysis reveal that the films utilize model characters, who emphasize the regime’s supported values often connected with Juche, the country’s official ideology, in promoting the prototypical behaviour for the youth. In addition, flawed characters are used to condemn behaviour which the regime does not support. The films also utilize music and lyrics, and other characters beside the youth, to emphasize the regime’s messages. The social identity which the regime constructs in the films emphasizes unconditional loyalty to the leader of the country with heavy emphasis on sacrifice. The analysis reveals that the major messages have remained the same in the films while there are also contextual differences. The study could be continued in the future by focusing on different eras, such as the Kim Jong un -era, or different themes, such as the theme of sacrifice. Other art forms, such as television, could also be researched.