The documentary "Dear Pyongyang, despite the expectation that it would be a heavy film, turned out to be a swirl of laughter and tears. One critic had a great description of the film; It's an emotional rollercoaster." Her home video, being quite different from traditional documentary film styles, is unexpectedly fast-paced and light-hearted.
"Dear Pyongyang" is the directorial debut of Yonghi Yang, a second generation Korean who was born and raised in Osaka. The film is a family history that intertwines her visit to her three brothers in Pyongyang with the life of her parents who are former leaders of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan. "The reality is heavy, but I didn't want to make a super serious film. Being from Osaka, I think it's in my DNA to love comedy," Ms. Yang laughed.
Her straight, open-hearted father and her beautiful, tough-minded mother interact with each other as if they were a comic duo. These humorous family scenes are characteristic of Osaka and strike a chord with the audience that follows with laughter.
"I felt a resistance toward my parents and the community forcing people to give their allegiance to their home country. In my twenties, I very rarely spoke to my father. My father didn't understand my life. When I was almost thirty, I realized that I didn't know why my parents live their lives like they do, and why my parents had my brothers ‘return’ to Pyongyang. I expected them to understand me, but I didn't try to make an effort to understand them."
At the same time, Ms. Yang was facing a choice whether or not to continue her career as an actor and a radio personality. "I had developed a desire to express things in my own words. Having been exposed to the many works at the Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival, I knew that was exactly what I wanted to do. I immediately bought a video camera and started shooting my family."
The scenes showed an ordinary family that could be found in Japan, North Korea, or anywhere. "The media shows only the danger and tragedy of North Korea. I understand that that's better for audience rating, but even though the people there are poor, they live quite ordinary lives."
Her brothers weren't opposed to her making a film about the family; they were rather encouraging. "My brothers want me to have a free life. I think it's because they can't have it themselves," she says. After compiling 10 years of film, Ms. Yang understands the reasons for her parents' choices. Her father has also started to understand and accept his daughter's way of life.
"Dear Pyongyang" received awards at the Berlin International Film Festival and the Sundance Film Festival. It was shown in the theaters in Japan in August 2006 and in South Korea the following September. Her father, who had a stroke during the making of the film, still struggles with the illness. The brothers in Pyongyang are not allowed to see the film.
"My current theme is family. I wonder how many films I can make before my brothers see them. Without being limited to a particular expressive style, I'd like to continue to share with the audience and readers the affection I feel when meeting people. I've got a lot of work to do!" Ms. Yang is determined and passionate.

(Interview by Ushio Chiba)