Attendees of the Delhi International Film Festival (DIFF) next month will have a unique opportunity to explore one of the most secretive societies on the planet. North Korea, alongside Russia, will serve as a “country partner” for the festival’s 15th edition, scheduled to take place from May 4 to May 8.
Festival organizers have indicated that they are in discussions to feature a selection of films from North Korea. While final confirmation is pending, one of the films anticipated for screening is 72 Sigan (72 Hours), which is reportedly authored by Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea, according to its IMDb profile.
The festival is being organized in partnership with the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Culture. The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting plays a significant role in coordinating the event, as noted on the DIFF website.
It is important to distinguish DIFF from the International Film Festival Delhi (IFFD), which recently held its inaugural edition at Bharat Mandapam from March 25 to March 31.
Approximately 175 films hailing from over 60 nations will be featured throughout the five-day festival, as confirmed by DIFF organizers. Screenings and discussions, designed to facilitate interaction among filmmakers, artists, and audiences, will be hosted at IGNCA and the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in central New Delhi.
72 Sigan, which portrays the initial three days of the Korean War and debuted in North Korean cinemas in February 2024, reinforces the narrative that the conflict was instigated by South Korea. Historians generally concur that the war was initiated when Kim Il-sung, the founder of North Korea and grandfather to Kim Jong-un, invaded South Korea with Soviet support.
According to a report by Radio Free Asia, a U.S.-funded nonprofit, 72 Sigan was prohibited in North Korea just five months post-release for unspecified reasons. However, it was later re-broadcast on North Korean state television in January 2025, as reported by The Chosun Daily of South Korea.
Both Kim Il-sung and his son Kim Jong-il were known for their appreciation of cinema. All films produced in North Korea are overseen by the Korean Workers’ Party, led by the Kim dynasty. The Korean Art Film Studio, situated in Pyongyang, is the largest film production facility in the country.
Another North Korean film that DIFF is attempting to feature is Days and Nights of Confrontation, which is loosely themed around the 2004 Ryongchon station disaster. This film, set for release in 2025, is a sequel to One Day, One Night (2022), which revolves around a conspiracy to assassinate Kim Il-sung in the 1950s.
The festival organizers have also expressed interest in screening episodes from the popular animated children’s series Boy General. This 100-episode series, which began airing in 1982 and concluded in 2019, tells the story of a young warrior from Korea’s Goryeo dynasty (918-1392 CE).
An official from the Culture Ministry remarked, “While the film festival is being organized with the I&B Ministry, the proposal to designate North Korea as a country partner is still pending approval.”
The official further clarified, “IGNCA is merely providing the venue, and all events are subject to the Ministry’s sanction.”
When asked about the rationale behind selecting North Korea, the official stated, “There is no specific reason. Indian audiences have yet to experience North Korean cinema… Our country maintains diplomatic relations with Pyongyang. North Korea is proposed as a country partner, while partnerships with Russia, China, and Mozambique have already been confirmed.”
Ram Kishore Parcha, the founder and president of DIFF, commented, “We act as unannounced ambassadors for our nation, fostering relationships through cinema.” He highlighted that China and Russia share “civilizational ties” with India.
The 2026 edition of DIFF will be inaugurated by renowned Malayalam filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan and will feature a segment celebrating the centenary of legendary Bengali actor Uttam Kumar. Additionally, the festival will showcase Puratwan (The Ancient), a 2025 Bengali-language film featuring Sharmila Tagore, directed by Rituparna Sengupta.
The festival will also honor Moroccan filmmaker Mohamed Ahed Bensouda with a screening of his 2023 film The Divorcees of Casablanca. Bangladeshi singer Runa Laila will receive the Minar-e-Delhi Award, while veteran Indian artist Usha Uthup will be recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award, as announced by the organizers.
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