Country of origin Denmark Original network DR First episode date 2006 Network DR Genre Comedy | No. of episodes 4 Original release 2006 Final episode date 22 December 2006 Number of episodes 4 | |
Det Røde Kapel (Danish: The Red Chapel) was a Danish television show on the Danish television channel DR2, about the fictional theatre group Det Røde Kapel, which consists of three Danish comedians, who want to perform a comedy/variety show in North Korea. The show is notable for actually taking place in North Korea.
While the point of the trip is not to mock the regime of North Korea, the three comedians are able to act in ways that might quickly have raised suspicion in western countries, but due to the isolation of the inhabitants, and extremely low or non-existent exposure to western media, certain themes such as irony and subtle mockery are not seen as offensive. Their ability to communicate between each other in Danish, which is understood by no one else, also allows them certain freedom.
Along with the ongoing challenge of getting their theatre show performed, the show also follows the three around certain "tourist friendly" landmarks in North Korea in or close to the capital Pyongyang, where they are taken to under strict supervision and guidance by officials. While it is difficult to judge the truthfulness of the situation, their female guide throughout their journey seems to develop strong affection for the group, acting very sad when they leave, and expressing hope that they will meet again.
During their trip, all of their camera footage has to be delivered to North Korean censoring officials, and is only returned to them after screening.
The title refers to the communistic spy unit, Rote Kapelle, which operated in Nazi Germany.
The footage is also used in the 2010 documentary film The Red Chapel.