Hooray for Hollywood. It’s really got me. Hooray, hooray, hooray for Hollywood! – 'The Hollywood Hotel', 1937

Hollywood got you down these days? Are you in need of a cinematographic change?

Over the next nine months, we’ll be taking a close look at ‘Chollywood’, North Korea’s homegrown film industry, as we gear up for the Pyongyang International Film Festival (PIFF) from September 19 to 28, 2018.

PIFF is a biennial event held in the North Korean capital, which features both domestically and internationally produced movies. The 2018 event is likely to see some literally dramatic (and technical) changes to the industry.

In preparation, a few of us the office are committing ourselves to regularly watching (yes, really watching) some of the DPRK’s most famous films, taking notes, and distilling the best and most entertaining bits for you, our beloved audience.

We have put together special tours based around the PIFF Opening Ceremony. A 4-night option from September 18-22/23 (from 1149 EUR) will give a general introduction to North Korean film and see the highlights of Pyongyang and Kaesong along with some filming locations. A 7-night option designed for film specialists, students, and enthusiast from September 18-25/26 (from 1799 EUR) will go into greater depth and visit additional locations in North Korea, such as the port city of Nampo.

Both options will have the chance to meet and talk with Korean filmmakers. In years past, our PIFF tours have met with Korean producers and directors, actors and actresses, film crew, and score composer.

Manse for Chollywood! That is, hooray for Chollywood! You can learn more about the word ‘manse’ here.

While we are on the subject, Pyongyang has almost all the elements to recreate the 'Hooray for Hollywood' scene (below) from Hollywood Hotel (1937): hand-painted signs, parades, big bands, hip drummers, choreographed drummers, goofy humor, 1930's waiting rooms and propeller planes.

Perhaps one day we will see the North Korean remake.

'Manse for Chollywood' is Koryo Tours' film blog.