The Red Chapel

The Red Chapel Danish Det Rde Kapel is a 2009 Danish documentary film directed by Mads Brgger. It chronicles the visit of Brgger and Danish comedians who are adopted from North Korea, Jacob Nossell and Simon Jul to North Korea under the pretense of a small theatre troupe on a cultural exchange. This is also the first time the two comedians have ever visited North Korea. The entire trip is a ruse the trio are actually trying to get a chance to portray the absurdity of the pantomime life they are forced to lead in the DPRK. The film turns deeply emotional as Jacob Nossell has spastic paralysis and North Korea has been accused of disposing of the disabled. The film won Best Nordic Documentary at Nordisk Panorama 2009 and Best Foreign Documentary at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival where it was included in the Official Selection. It is filmed and edited by Ren Johannsen.

The authorities demand much control over the performance of the theatre troupe, and try to use it for propaganda purposes. The film crew plays along, but among themselves and in the voiceover they are critical of the regime.Los Angeles Times reviewer Mark Olson called it shocking, funny and wildly outrageous and a real find. Kyle Smith from the New York Post described it as a cleareyed and inspired documentary. The New York Times reviewer Neil Genzlinger found it sloppy and thought it had no revelations to offer. ........

Source: Wikipedia