entertainment

'The Interview' DVDs dropped into North Korea by balloon

31 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© 2015 AFP

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

31 Comments
Login to comment

Distributing copies of a DVD movie is illegal isn't it? Usually says so at the beginning of the movie.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Might want to send some DVD players too. Portable ones, with batteries.

My initial reaction is the whole thing is some feel-good drivel, but it may serve as "proof" to an underground few (?) that the country's leadership is ridiculed overseas. Revolutions thrive on emotion.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

The capital has labelled the Seth Rogen comedy about a fictional CIA plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, a "wanton act of terror".

I was laughing so hard at that statement that I was in tears.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

"North Koreans are paying as much as £30 for copies of the film (The Interview), around ten times as much as South Korean TV shows usually cost on the country’s black market, according to Free North Korea Radio, an online radio network made by defectors from North Korea."

http://www.independent.co.uk/

Dropping copies of the DVD for free? The North Koreans are probably grateful!

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Wouldn't be surprised if Kim Jong Eun has anyone caught with the DVD to be beheaded.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Are each of these copies legal? If not, the MPAA needs to get a ruling against Lee Min-Bok for the $4K/incident.

Or did Seth provide these excess copies for free to clear out the warehouse of this terrible movie?

1 ( +4 / -3 )

The MPAA is an USA Organisation with limited powers outside the country.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I hope they have a TV set?

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Might want to send some DVD players too. Portable ones, with batteries.

Many North Korean households apparently have a small portable DVD player they use to watch forbidden contraband South Korean movies/drama. Many of them would be aware of the lies of their dictator. It's no longer the 1980s and more and more North Koreans are realising they are being lied to.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/27/us-northkorea-change-insight-idUSKBN0MM2UZ20150327

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Hey Lee-san please send some balloons with dvds towards Japan too as I want to watch this flick but its no where to be seen LOL!! Can you give us some copies when the winds are blowing over towards Chiba!!!!!

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Seems to me that as long as the DVDs were purchased legally and weren't being resold that the purchaser has every right to do with those copies what said purchaser wants to do with them.

I find nothing in this article to smack of illegality.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Does average North Korean family even own a DVD machine or even computer to watch it?

0 ( +3 / -3 )

The word "copies" is used in the article in the same sense as in "I went to the bookstore and bought five copies of the same book." In which case one would assume they are legitimate.

They are not legit purchased copies. The movie hasn't been released in South Korea but these copies are apparently being distributed with Korean subtitles included. That said, I don't know what the law in South Korea says... maybe copyright infringement is not a criminal offence?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

I find nothing in this article to smack of illegality.

That is because you are expected to do the math yourself. It is highly unlikely those are all legally purchased copies.

But, given all the trouble with distribution the movie faced, the copyrights might have been waved. Maybe.

Anyway, everyone seems to be merely questioning the legality (even providing question marks) not demanding an arrest, so chill.

Anyway, you have seen all those dire warnings for copyright infringement haven't you? You have heard of how Disney, Sony and friends have been increasing penalties and forcing new laws through legislatures right?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

I am still waiting for Unbroken to be released here in Japan. Maybe China will send some balloons with DVD's this way.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Wonder if N Koreans will understand the dialogue in this slapstick comedy. If Mr. Lee was going to take the trouble to make copies, and distribute from a balloon, he should've used something more meaningful, and a story that would appeal to the masses.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I'd launch a few profanities is some tried giving me a Seth Rogan movie.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

DVD published by Sony Picture Entertainmen, USA prohibit copying and distributing. Warning statement shows on screen. But if you copy and keep copy and keep mouth shut, Sony can not find. However, if you have a big mouth and tell that you copied and distributed, Sony will do something. Like sueing, You never can tell what it uses to catch culpit. Not necessarily Keishicho or FBI as culpits are in Korea. To be sued is peaceful but ....... BTW, a majority of Korean houses use fire used lamps in the evening. TV ? A majority of people don;t know what it is.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I wonder if they will send copies of Myeongryang dvds by balloon here. Shouldn't be necessary, but, hey, the movie has to get to Japan somehow.

I don't think that the JT item from August last year (http://www.japantoday.com/category/entertainment/view/film-on-1597-victory-over-japan-breaks-korean-box-office-records since 'expired') was enough to make the movie's existence widely known.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

That's as awesome as the movie! But N.Korea has the best adjective statement writers though.... “merciless retaliatory strikes”. or the 'die in overflowing seas of fire and ash'. When the NK's see the movie and how hot actress Diana Bang is compared to the recent photo of Un's 'comfort women'.......that's going to cause a major problem.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@Heckleberry

Thanks for the link.

Many North Korean households apparently have a small portable DVD player they use to watch forbidden contraband South Korean movies/drama.

Interesting but not so surprising. Other despotic regimes had/have citizens who have similar things. Maybe not DVDs, but radio, television, newspapers, etc.

Many of them would be aware of the lies of their dictator. It's no longer the 1980s and more and more North Koreans are realising they are being lied to.

Yeah, one would want to give the ordinary folk a little credit.

Here's hoping that the day the current dynasty falls is coming soon, and it's replaced with something that does not treat it citizens worse than dirt.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I find it really hard to believe that anyone in North Korea would want to watch, let alone would care about, some crappy, overhyped Hollywood comedy.

Of all the ways to try change the situation in North Korea, airlifting DVDs of this pile of junk is about the stupidest.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

With all the hype over their noble intentions, did anyone think about the trouble it would cause for some random North Korean person who has enough hardships as it is and wants to be left alone but accidentally comes across this package?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Unfortunate that each DVD has a region 1 code... so they will be unplayable on all North Korean DVD players. BTW, Believe it or not, DVDs are considered old skool in North Korea. Be nice if the rest of the world could catch up!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

N Korea and S Korea have been in movement of unification. I doubt S Korean Govt approve this action. I don;t know what is dropped in N Korea. It is (I don;t have) not advertised so my guess is Blue Ray + DVD + digital HD. If someone has DVD player, need TV or Screen monitor to watch. And a good utility connection. Can not use on fire lamp utility. these balloning people could be sabotaging unification. VUDU version, maybe. Anyway, I think they are sabotaging unification.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Region-free dvd players are a dime a dozen. Lol- those are the ones NK prob use too.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Heckleberry

Thanks for the informative link.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

If they ballooned original they are safe from copyright infringement but if they copied original to DVD disk by using /dvr and ballooned, Sony can sue.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

TheFu: It's leagal..the U.S. State Dept. was involved with this film and hoped to use it for the purpose of enticing the people in North Korea to revolt, Though I think it's gonna take more than a movie..Now if we can find armed sleeper cells there and send them some high grade weaponry to storm and attack the army with that would help.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites