If anyone can find fun in the land of Kim Jong-un, it’s Michael Palin
Long before the likes of Joanna Lumley, Stephen Fry and Sue Perkins started travelling the world with camera crews in tow, there was Michael Palin.
nearly 30 years since Around The World In 80 Days and six years since his last outing, he returned with Michael Palin In North Korea (Channel 5).
needless to say, the former Python star’s two-week visit was under close supervision by the authorities. no sooner had he stepped off the train from Beijing than he was quizzed by security demanding to know if he was carrying a Bible.
on the first morning of his stay in the capital, Pyongyang, he was woken at 5am by north Korea’s very own call to prayer — a piece of music entitled Where Are You Dear general?, a tribute to former Supreme Leader Kim Il-sung that was piped across the city.
As Palin visited the Mansu Hill grand Monument and the Juche Tower, his friendly, but extremely nervous, guides were keen to promote the idea that north Koreans were just like the rest of the world.
‘nobody tells us what to do,’ said his female guide who, in the next breath, explained why all citizens wore badges of their Kim dynasty leaders on their lapel, close to their heart.
on a strictly controlled visit to a school, the children described what they wanted to be when they grew up: teachers, scientists, writers — all to make the current Supreme Leader, Kim Jong-un, proud.
A young girl trembled with emotion as she recited a poem she’d written paying tribute to the country’s sacred volcano.
The only time the people seemed to have any freedom or fun was during May Day celebrations where they all flocked to the parks to have picnics and drink their five litres per month beer allowance.
With such a watchful eye on him, Palin was limited when filming and had to save the more scathing commentary for the voiceover.
With no advertising, no internet and state-approved haircuts, he admitted that the ‘ propaganda seeps into your soul’.
Despite the restrictions, Palin was still able to deliver an intriguing and good-humoured programme.
Altogether more uplifting was Emmerdale 1918 (ITV), a new series where various cast members of the soap go back 100 years to celebrate the lives of those involved in the great War. Last night it was the turn of Mark Charnock, who plays pub chef Marlon Dingle, to look at the life of Frederick Brocklehurst, a front-line cook from the Yorkshire village of Esholt (on which Emmerdale is based).
Brocklehurst cooked in the trenches for hundreds of men, ensuring they got their required three square meals and 4,600 calories per day, serving up dishes including fried liver and onions and Spotted Dick.
Charnock was able to get an insight into the life of Fred — who was a cheeky chap who smuggled a camera into the trenches — thanks to a surviving photo album. He also discovered that Fred was court-martialled for stealing coal from a nearby village to light his stove.
His cruel punishment was documented as ‘field position’, meaning he was forced to stand in one position, without moving, for two hours per day over 56 days. Must have been agony.
Emmerdale 1918 followed on from Coronation Street’s DNA Secrets. With soaps pulling in the biggest audiences, it makes sense for ITV to have its stars fronting documentaries that may otherwise go unwatched.
And, as last night’s programme showed, it works very well. CHRISTOPHER STEVENS is away.