‘Propaganda’ mysteriously appeared on YouTube on July 18, 2012
Ostensibly produced by North Korea; the film “documents” and “comments on” narratives that the West would consider to be “conspiracy theories” treating them as truth underlying “propaganda” instead.
For a Western audience the idea that the film was produced by North Korea reinforces the message that these narratives are truly conspiracy theories. On the other hand it is a penetrating critique of consumer culture; and makes many uncomfortable, from the Western point of view, observations that may be said to be commonly shared experiences held by every Western citizen. It should be noted that many persons in a Western audience would find the tone of the film to be offensive, upsetting, harsh, … uncomfortable.
This paradox is truly ‘1984 meets The Blair Witch Project’ in Hollywood parlance.
From a detached perspective the film may be viewed as a gem of cultural anthropology documenting the culture of North Korea. When viewed in this light the film reveals the principle of propaganda as an emotional instrument representing the message “We are right, they are wrong, we are noble, they are evil, our sacrifice is heroic, their sacrifice is tragic.” (etcetera) this message being from the perspective of the North Korean population (the presumed intended audience.)
The film makes us once again ask the question: What is truth?