THE LOYALIST | Omeleto
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- čas přidán 28. 05. 2018
- A North Korean general tests his daughter's loyalty.
THE LOYALIST is used with permission from Minji Kang. Learn more at minjikang.com.
A North Korean general visits his talented daughter at a prestigious Swiss school to test her loyalty towards her motherland. An outstanding singer, with a promising future, she dreams of studying in America. But her dream will be at the cost of her father’s life if she doesn’t return.
Director Minji Kang's short chamber drama is at heart a story of familial and intergenerational conflict, but set in a unique crucible: the authoritarian politics of North Korea, whose pressures distort and warp the father-daughter dynamic to an untenable, shocking point.
Guided by a well-paced script and taut, elegant camerawork that captures the daughter's rarified surroundings, the film is fueled by excellent performances that capture many of the unspoken agreements and expectations that exist between family -- as well as the explosive pressures that eventually erupt between a father and daughter who want diametrically opposed goals.
THE LOYALIST delineates both characters of the father and daughter with compassion, capturing the complex knot of family, honor, love, loyalty and duty that bounds the pair -- and making the film's climactic moments all the more devastating. The heartbreaking, shocking ending moments of the film will linger, long after its conclusion. - Krátké a kreslené filmy
The moment that she said, "I don't want to go back", I knew she was dead.
i suspect it too. there no way she want defect ether her father will die or she will die.
NK is a pain
@@poopsieaxel3916 A pain in the ass.
I wouldnt have risked my father's life though. I would have complied to save him.
@@cultofmalgus1310 I wouldnt if he killed my mom.
@@cultofmalgus1310 he killed her mother dude he deserves no mercy.
it all makes sense now.. if you go back, you can notice how nervous and frantic he was trying to convince her to go back. you could tell he was wired... also when he immediately stood up clapping when he heard her sings "jesus".. he was trying to save her kinda from the start because they arnt supposed to worship anything but their leader. I think he did honestly love his daughter.. but he knew he stood no chance so caved in. 10/10.
Yes exactly. It also occurs to me that when he pulled the rifle off the shelf and asked if she could still shoot, he was trying to tell her there was a sniper covering them, ready to kill either or both of them if they said something that crossed a line. Like “Jesus” in her song, or when she tried to convince him to come with her, he knew she had crossed the line then and would be killed one way or another.
Then why would he nod at the sniper to shoot her...
Talia Hass cause then he would be shot by his daughter , and if he was, the sniper would have shot her anyways, so either way, she was screwed.
the bullet was a mercy
In North Korea the premise is that any organized religion may end up "challenging" the government and try to change how they do things and you know that will not be tolerated. People who practice any sort of religion have to do so in secret. It can punishable by death if you get csught singing hymns which she was doing, own ANY religious items which is crazy, speak to a religious leader like a priest, praying, or even talking about religion! I have traveled all around the world, and I will say that here in the United States we have A LOT of problems. However, no matter how many countries I visit, I enjoy the experience but I am always glad when its time to come back HOME. It brings you an appreciation for the things you take for granted. What I don't understand in this short was she was STILL in Switzerland and not yet back in NK...
This story made me realize how freedom actually feels like and why people fought and died for it
True men
It make me realised how stereotypically brainwashed you are. Every other omelet film is about everything in life, for NK is general and motherland! People like you knows nothing about NK but the tripe that fed to you by Western media.
@@tonyatgoogle6076 What on earth are you talking about
Freedom isnt free
Reminded me of my life in Soviet Union
that scene where she's singing right infront of the portraits of the leaders, it showed that they were being monitored and as soon as she says "Jesus" he inturupts her, this combined with all the other things she said would mean she had a way worse death waiting for her back in Korea
I don't think she would have been killed if she were to go back to NK.
They would have killed her anyway without bringing the commander into the problem.
Please differentiate clearly between north Korea and south Korea
@@noprofilename5492 well based on the entire film take a wild guess which one they were referring to
@@noprofilename5492 ??
obviously they are referring to north korea, so your comment does not matter
@@gentlejello I know its North Korea,but when someone sees that comment before watching full movie, they will have a misconception about korea as a whole, I did not want that discrimination, I know that its N K everyone knows that. I commented with different meaning.
Wait it says in the credits "produced in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the MFA degree of the film program, school of the arts, columbia University"
Meaning this was done by a student? Damn, im even more impressed
GeneralTan
Well a masters student*, so someone who has experience.
@@iBeFloe ...at least experience in academia.
Enjoyed the acting and good plot. The father bolting upright clapping gave me the willies!
she was about to say Jesus, in north Korea there is no religion as they are told to believe their leader is the only god, so any other religion and even mentioning another religion is a crime
Reminds me of my Guatemalan neighbor
@@LilMissBunnii Catholicism is one of the biggest religions in North Korea to my knowledge, look it up, there are mosques, buddhist temples, churches etc... not hard to find this stuff
omg yes it made me jump. my mom asked me if i was really doing me hw...
What sold it for me was his honesty about his pride for his daughter...and then his face falls as he realizes what he is going to do to her by taking her back...and then he moves towards the pictures of his leaders, as if trying to gain strength in his convictions...
Did you notice the microscopic change in Shilla’s facial expression when she laid eyes on her father in the Swiss music conservatory? In the first moment she expresses surprise and happiness but in the next moment - after she’s had time to process his sudden and unannounced appearance - her happiness gives way to apprehension and then fear. ‘Why is he here? What does he want with me? Does he suspect I may have done something wrong? Oh no! He must KNOW I have done something wrong!! What can I possibly do to escape?’
Those few moments set the stage for all that unfolds in this riveting film. Well done to all involved!
I noticed that too.. They are amazing actors, I would not have pulled off such small details
But if she notised that then why would she act so foolisly?
I noticed it for a split second but forgot about it as the film progressed. Thank you for pointing it out here. You have such a sharp eye.
@@k3kboi665 Living freely is sometimes more important than just living.
I wonder how they'd have handled the murder in a foreign land... Switzerland of all.
DAMN, I wasn't expecting that ending at all. I thought he was either going to allow her to leave, or try and fight her for the gun.
DrPoetry1 😂 he killed his wife that said it all
@@dextercheong8821 she was being watched and a sniper was on her so either way she would have been killed. They were being listened to also because the father interrupted her singing about Jesus. There is no religion in N. Korea and its a crime to believe in a god or preform religious acts that dont praise their leader. He was desperately trying to convince his daughter to go back since that was the only way she would have been alive and together with him.
although that bullet shot is horrible tho.
I think it’s easy to call the father weak or selfish etc but you could see from his expressions that he truly believed he had no choice. I totally agree the outcome sucked and you should always protect your own, but it’s easier to say and believe when you live freely. If you grow up brainwashed, like he did, it’s not as clear of a choice. That’s why in times of war like WW2, those who opposed the reign and hid Jews and others who were prosecuted, they’re seen as heroes. We all like to believe we will do the “right thing” no matter what, but that belief is clouded with the fact that we have freedom of choice.
Great movie!
he was probably wirerd with microfphones thats why he had no choice either he or nobody lived. thats also porb why he was begging to go home
Very well done from beginning to end. Needless to say I didn't see that last few seconds coming, I was too deep into their debating. Why can't big budget films produce simple drama like this? Breathtaking.
I realized that the fact that you hear all the little things in the video, like the burning of the cigarettes, is because the people monitoring him are using sensitive mics so we are hearing it like they would.
The music of Rachmaninoff was a good and symbolic choice. The Communists hated him because he fled to the West.
Greg S. Why do I love you?
Absolutely correct!
wow impressive catch. very nice.
I dont get it lol. With this kind of thinking we must hate Wagner because he was Hittler's favorite composer. And what about "Apocalypse now " and the heli scene with the dance of the valkeryies theme?
I warned you, don't read the comments before finished the movie.
OK
thx
Too late, I’ve already done that 😅
I never do, if i did it would rob be of a quality watch
Seriously. The way this is filmed, the story behind it, I could see a feature film in this one. This is probably some of the best work I've seen here on the Omeleto channel. Well done.
this is for me a second. check out the swedish film omeleto presented about the teacher who tries to help his suicidal student. that film will rock your entire universe. it is the best omeleto i have seen. this film here is EXCELLENT. it's also perfect but the one to which i'm referring is an absolute filming tour de force and beyond incredible. i felt like i should have paid to see it.
and this was made by a student
"Defecting is the ultimate betrayal. You're all I have. If I lose you, how could I possibly go on?" Don't think that last bit is going to be an issue...
I honestly think that he's going to kill himself after this. He has nothing and no one else to live for.
@@StephJ0seph, he never had anyone to live for in the first place, if his love for Kim Ir Sen is greater than that for his family members. Decent men go to all ends to protect their own. This one didn't. Selfish is what he is. If he really loved them, he would have taken the hit for them if needed back when they were alive (and may be would be still). So his assumed suicide is worthless, it's self-pity, not sacrifice.
@@parahumanoid nahhh there's nothing he did thats particularly special , you think more of humans than what they are.
@@parahumanoid Taken the hit? Even if he did, there's no way to guarantee his family's safety. Being a general's daughter, she might know a fair share of secret not meant for other's ears, making her a dangerous asset if put in the wrong hands. I know it sounds far-fetched but why do you think the North Koreans want her back in the first place? Long story short, killing him won't change a thing, the only logical way of approaching this is if they return to NK.
@@truesciencedaily4285, she could have already leaked any info she could. It's more about not setting the precedent of a high ranking family member defecting. It's about country's public image on the international arena.
excellent North Korean accent. bone-chilling acting too.
acting was FIERCE.
Even her father yelled at her , but father was suffering inside of him . He could not say anything from his heart . Because he knew they were listening. It must be very hard for him to know that his daughter will soon die front of him . At least he tried.
I don't know the name of this cinematographic technique, but 11:32 and 12:17 are very fine examples of providing a subtle hint about the situation that also foreshadows the ending. Notice how the shadows of the window grilles reflect on him in the shape of a cross, which suggests that they were a target.
Yes, such a fine observation. It could also mean he is on a cross. He is split.
Living in a country with no freedoms is not living. It is more like surviving on death row waiting for execution day.
@vin 950 Welcome to America if the Left gets into power.
@@VincentVega93 Yeah, cause if you have affordable healthcare and education, that is literally north korea right?
@@user-hx7tu4tn2b he's obviously overexaderating but let's be real, it wouldn't be pretty!
@@straittax9332 It would certainly be prettier than it is now. The reforms "the left" wants to enact are in effect for over half a century in europe and the quality of life is much higher even though the economy is weaker.
*canada has entered the chat*
It's like watching the most beautiful and majestic bird whittled away by life in a cage. Never fully realized and never given the opportunity to fly. A true tragedy if there is one.
There are hundreds of thousands of similar tragedies like this in North Korea.
Him asking her if she can still shoot reminds me of playing a horror game and it suddenly tells you “press shift to run”; the fact that it’s mentioned implies that it’ll become warranted imminently, meaning somethings about to happen
11:50 when he jumped outta his chair I Almost shit myself
Woooow. 👏 👏. Amazing. I cried so hard for the truth in this. And the feelings of the daugther and fathers perspectives are so close to the heart. In n. Korea leaders are like gods so to disobey and to be given rights to go abroad and not return to better you motherland with info gained is in away treason. Then to see your mom killed by your dad from orders or higher up a political rank, get a taste of freedom and then expect to return. Yea not happening. The pain in the dads eyes. This is just wow.
He turned away at the last. He couldn't bring himself to view with his own eyes, what he knew was about to happen. Powerful and heartbreaking.
@@mitchellmelkin4078 well i mean he looked away to give the okay to the sniper to shoot her.
@@eunyou03 , Do you think the sniper needed any instruction at that point, given that he heard exactly what was going on, as well as viewed the daughter, holding a gun on her father? It was a fait accompli. No signal needed at all, and her father was fully aware of that.
@@mitchellmelkin4078 Sure but in the video he literally gave the sniper a nod. I'm just stating the facts in the video
@@eunyou03 , You're right. I didn't detect it when I watched, but it's clear. Even the daughter is cognizant of it happening. When seeing it the first time, I thought he turned away, to the other side. I'm not sure how I came to that impression, other than not being focused on the direction they both were facing, vis-a-vis the window!!!🤷♂️🤷♂️🤷♂️
The acting in this film is incredible. All the subtexts which play across their faces. The father - clearly torn between his loyalties and love for his daughter. There are moments you can see him trying to fight his desire to grant her wish to be free.
What a horrid existence and decision he made, all in the name of fear and paranoia.
That fear & paranoia are coming to our country; once the 1st & 2nd amendments are taken away...you, your kids & grandkids will know the same fear & paranoia that the father felt.
Why cant he write her a note!? "Don't react, but were being tapped, we have to go back or were both dead"
They ate also being watched. He probably doesnt even know where all the cameras are himself. I believe he was teying to hint it to her in hi own way. Asking her if she remebers how to shoot, telling her to roll up the window, exaggerated clapping while ahe was singing...
She probaply knew that anyway. I think she thought beeing shot is better choice than return. And I agree with this perspective.
The acting is fantastic. The emotion is too accurate
Living in a country under a government like this ‘damned if you do, damned if you don’t’ . Beautifully done!
Love/fear of the Leader over parental love. This short film masterfully built the tension to a crescendo. Instinct of protection and love of a child are so ingrained in our being and soul that to abandon it is the most abhorrent betrayal imaginable. This film shows all that is terrifyingly wrong with North Korean and similar authoritarian regimes. Should be mandatory viewing for anyone advocating appeasement to reach a "peaceful' coexistence with such evil.
That was a great COMMENT!! Maybe the insane LIBTARDS in AMERICA SHOULD BE MADE TO WATCH SO THEY APPRECIATE WHAT PURE FREEDOMS WE HAVE
The_Naked_Indri He ain’t wrong though
Evil? South korea was like this before the gwangju uprising, students were massacred by troops while the us just stood there idlely when they knew full well what was going on the only reason north korea became this way was due to every advance they made, every chance at opening up we pressured the international community to stop giving them aid after the soviet union fell, and its connections with the outside world fell apart one by one, until it regressed from an industrial economy to an agricultral one, with the added bonus of rough terrain and sudden switch causing one of the biggest famines in the world and yet we would still not lift such sanctions at that time, all they could do was starve, and we ignored it due to simply labeling a country as "evil" because it had ties to the soviet union. while we wilfully ignore the fact that its southern bretheren before gwangju had secret police censorship and just as much brutality as the north, give me a break with your high horse while you wax poetic about how delightful and foward thinking we are, your so called "advocating appeasement" and your "manditory viewing about authoritarian regimes" have you never thought about the fact that we created so many juntas, caused so much suffering in latin america and the middle east that still affects us to this day. we arent coexsiting with most of them, we are the cause of most of them.
Wow, this short was so engrossing, I didn't even realize it was about to end. Fabulous job
Once they arrived at the house and they went in and immediately you saw the presence of the party... you know those conversations were not private. Everything that was being said played a part in the weight on the fathers shoulders. You do not simply enter a home that is loyal to the dear leader and speak ill. There is always someone listening. She put her father in a position where he only had one choice. She spoke of her mother and how her mother was killed and even then he sacrificed so that he could be there to raise his daughter. In the end they would have both died in that cabin or trying to escape. The daughters mind forced her fathers hand. I think he truly loved her and did everything he could to save her.
The fact that this has such little views hurts my eyes
Your eyes?
At least she's free now.
It was all perfectly built up. I do feel that the ending might have been a bit more powerful if he had killed her with his own hands, but I suppose the sniper is his way of absolving himself of guilt for her death.
"If you defect from our great leader, thye'll kill you" that does not sound like a great leader to me.
Fat Kimmie is my boy, he would never hurt you but he’ll do what I say which is Change to democracy like Aladdin did.
Damn!! The ending twisted me all up!! EXCELLENT Omeleto!! You guys have hit another all time mark. Terrific drama with a heart-wrenching ending. Keep it up.
I felt guilty saying I liked the film. I broke my heart.
I just can't bring myself to stop binge-watching these short movies, there are so many great ones, like this one.
We've got it so easy in the States, majority of our hardships are caused by our own selfishness.
That's because our forefathers fought, and died for our freedom.
Really? Because it sure seems like a lot of our hardships are caused by the most powerful Americans. Just like this guys hardships were caused by the most powerful North Koreans.
Ryan are you really trying to compare your privileged ass to a group of people who aren’t even allowed to think their own thoughts?
who is we?
Easy for some people.
Wow the accent is heavy and real. I, a South Korean even take slight moments to understand the thick accents. The acting great too.
Damn, you tirelessly raise your daughter for years and years only for it to wastefully end like that in a split second
Oh wow. This made me break down in tears. Very well told.
Even a general is not an exception
wow! Their accent is so good. The story is... but their accent is so so so good!
Oh such a good film, His loyalty is impressive.
What an excellent film. Minji Kang should make this into a full length film. This was really, really, fantastic...
She already signed her own death sentence by making contact with embassies where she would have real protection. On the other side, he just wanted to spend some time with her and bring back her loyalty to the Supreme Commander, but as she tasted freedom, it was hard to go back into that miserable cage willingly, where she'd be on trial and probably end up as a slave or simply dead.
It's better to die free, than live as a slave.
She would rather die than surrender.
@M Λ N Ü I think she already knew she'd been sentenced to death. Remember she couldn't bring herself to shoot an animal while her father taught her to shoot. They both knew she had no intention of using his gun on him. I think she did that to help her father save face in the eyes of his comrades - to sort of make up for disgracing him by trying to seek asylum. She ensured she was the only one who died.
Oh my GOD!!! Wow. this is powerful. Man I did not see the end coming. And to think that this is what North Koreans face on a daily basis. It really makes you rethink and appreciate the freedom we have in the United States because of the bravery of men and women that fought and died for that right.
This was extremely well done... I’m still blown away.
This is only K-Drama I appreciate!
Wow what a great film!
When stories are so well told in less than 20 minutes it really makes me not even care about 99% of the feature films.
The second I heard her say "New York" and "the best in the world", I was like: Oh boy, she's dead
What a film!👏
Wow... Just wow. The ending didn't surprise me. Loved the dialogue. He told her what would happen without telling her. Just a tremendous job! BRAVO!
It's super depressing that a country keeps it's people so terrified. That father was in fear of his life simply because his daughter wanted to sing and live life 😥
Absolutely brilliant! The all encompassing feeling of dread. The father and daughter relationship amidst the oath and loyalty promised to the mother land.The tug of war of emotions and which one prevails. The father pleading for more time. Which one wins. Very powerful and emotional. I usually don't comment on these but this one was extraordinary. 10/10. Thank you.
In reality, situation in north Korea is far worse
And this is hapening on foreing soil. They had to give him a chance as he clearly is wery inportant.
Wow! Extremely well acted. Absolutely compelling story.
The whole plot and cinematography are stunning. Very well done
Wow, that's powerful. Great job.
Wow, that was a rollercoaster. This is one of my new favourites, bravo!
Rewatching this twice makes you think that the dad truly did care for his daughter, but also fear for his own life. He interrupts her/Tells her to stop talking/eat at the dining table so she doesn’t go into more detail about how she wants to leave. And he even stops her during the singing right she utters the name Jesus. Really great short.
Crazy good acting, this should be a full length movie
Very clever and subtle costuming at the start. The female lead was the only one with her scarf not tied.
Not sure what the daughter has in mind a bit later, wearing a crucifix and singing a prayer. She has to know the house is being monitored. Then, you see the look on her father's face when jumps up and claps as loud as he can. Shows an excellent range of facial expressions.
Well done.
Makes you want to run over and live in the people's paradise.
You can see the love and fear he has for his daughter, suddenly turn to a cold calculated general during interrogation.
After watching the movie , a chill ran down my spine recalling each and every activity sequentially("...wherever you'll go they'll track you down and kill you", this line made sense). Great movie! At the same time agonizing..
This is why we should never take our freedom and liberty for granted. Others would die at the chance of having what we possess here in the USA. I am thankful to be an American!
Did he give them signals to shoot her? You can see him nodding at the sniper just before she got shoot.
shot*
yup
I had to go back and look. He sure did.
My parents escaped from a Communist country and I've traveled to 2 Communist countries. Things weren't as bad in these places as in N. Korea, but they were pretty bad. After decades of totalitarianism, people have a dead look to their eyes and they have given up hope that they will ever be free, or they become indoctrinated and believe what they've been told. With no outside contact, they are completely isolated, like an island run by Big Brother.
Was the 2 communist countrys were China and the USSR
@@hoshimaruhajime7933 There's also the Republic of Cuba, Vietnam, and Laos.
I'm interested, what countries are you referring to?
that nervousness in his eyes at 12:05 thoooo
good stuff!!! freedom is not to be taken for granted
Such a beautiful film Mr. Minji Kang! Best wishes
how can these schools just casually accept someone from north korea?
Its switzerland. Even Kim jong un studied in a private school in switzerland.
@@zeky4837 it's in new york
Jaxvader 07 I talked about the 1 school in switzerland:)
@@Clackerus car plate and passport in the suitcase are switzerland's.
If you haven't realized yet, Switzerland is a country controlled by the bankers of the world. This is why they were never invaded during ww2.
Oh no., no, no....I'm beyond heartbroken.
Magnificent achievement, Minji Kang!👏🏻👏🏻
Amazing actingm especially b the man playing the father! Such emotions!
In all honesty... the ending served her better than having to return back to a life of hell. Shame this still exists in todays world. Once you’ve lived a life of freedom, there’s no settling for anything else.
you know what's most sad.........its part of realty for many and we can't help them.
"You are all I have". A true North Korean loyalist would never say that about another person.
When the dad walked in looking at daughter sing with a straight face. That gave chills cuz he looked mad
Great observation!
She knew something was up with the car- she knows where she’s from, she knows what they are capable of, she just wasn’t being smart about it. Anyone knows that in a situation such as this you never stand by a window, there is always a sniper- especially if your parent is in with the government
Yeah, but would anything changed if she's avoided the window at all costs? He had a gun in his suitcase...
Seeing that dinner table is really stunning
Why would she expect him to spare her life if she believes he already killed her mother over North Korean loyalty? It was so clear this father was constrained by the Korean leader and was trying to keep her from being labeled a traitor and therefore being murdered. She made her desires to leave and "betray" clear so they killed her. Is anyone surprised?
This was exceptional, wow
Powerful film!
Just 281 like? Come one, this deserves more.. Simple yet beautiful short film..
The girl is so beautiful
At 9:27. I was really taken back by his acting. It felt as if he really was pleading, and begging. Such a stern, & strong character, but is broken down, hearing the sharp cracks, and cries within his pleading, translating through his voice to just try a little more for his daughter. A higher cause? I would’ve shot the driver, & let her go.
Top notch drama. Excellent.
As always outstanding
Well, the ending was a surprise, but not to be dismissed as unreal.
How does she not know she’s being listened to?
She's beautiful.
What an amazing acting
Only after watching the movie and reading the comments did I realize that they were bugged and monitored all along. I'm so naive, probably like the daughter. The things she said suggests to me that she didn't know they were being eavesdropped upon. In retrospect, I agree with another commenter, she signed her own death warrant the moment she said, "I'll never go back."
Great film..love it..👍👍
I am lost for words to describe this elegant art. Love to the person who thought this. I cherish my freedom now😔
Living in North Korea is my worst nightmare. I’d rather be dead than forced to live there. I’m not a huge fan of Saudi Arabia, and most of the Middle East either. I am so thankful to have been born and raised in Canada.
Wow Minji Kang...WOOOOW.
Well, that was depressing.
She knew. Like her father, she knew. She was as born into it as he was.
She chose to put everyone into an untenable position based only only her wishes for herself. Selfish disregard for her family.
That the world allows such states to exist...
That shows us where our loyalties lay also.
To ourselves and our comfort.