The deal was we had to have people accompanying us and…
![“The deal was we had to have people accompanying us and they would ask us not to film something [in North Korea]. For example, we wanted to film at a certain place and there happened to be a building under construction and it didn't look as fancy as the other buildings, so they wanted us to shoot…” quote by Werner Herzog](https://sms4smile.com/q/i/ee3/werner-herzog-964_asks_the-deal-was-we-had-to-have-people-accom_1664745.jpg)
“The deal was we had to have people accompanying us and they would ask us not to film something [in North Korea]. For example, we wanted to film at a certain place and there happened to be a building under construction and it didn't look as fancy as the other buildings, so they wanted us to shoot where everything looked finished and made a good impression of the cityscape.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Herzog describes how authorities in North Korea controlled the visual narrative, insisting on filming only polished scenes to project a positive image.
In simple terms: Authorities forced filmmakers to hide imperfections.
Key Takeaway
Accept that control may shape representation.
Themes
censorship
image control
political power
Mood
tense
reflective
Type
observational
critical
When to use this quote
- travel documentary
- journalism
- political reporting
Key Concepts
propaganda
national image
media ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does selective filming affect truth?
- What responsibilities do filmmakers have under such constraints?
A Different Perspective
The imposed image may mislead audiences about reality.