December 31, 2010 : Bend It Like Beckham, a film made on a teenage girl’s idol David Beckham, has become an instrumental part of television and diplomatic histories. The movie was broadcast on North Korean television screens four days back, becoming the first west-movie to have done so. The North Korean television is a closely monitored space, which telecasts the more serious stuff, including news and documentaries, mostly.
It is being said that the movie is a result of North Korean leader Kim Jong-II being a film enthusiast. But even this enthusiasm could not stop free telecast of the complete movie. While a website reports that about 52 minutes of the movie was cut out, BBC has reported that the movie was edited down by about 9 minutes of its original time. The move may be considered as a way of screening away from masses the open depiction of issues like homosexuality and racial segregation issues.
However, the choice of the film was done keeping in mind the fact that this country loves the sport of soccer! The choice of a British film being telecast was also done as it was on this day that ten years ago Britain and North Korea had started diplomatic relations with each other!
As we know, a thing begun is always half done! North Koreans can expect more movies down the line on their television sets we guess!
