
Poster of the Film
The History of Nirvana is a mockumentary film released in 1995 that parodies the North Korean band Juche. The film follows the fictionalized history of Nirvana, a band formed as a satire of Juche, blending elements of music, politics, and absurd comedy. The mockumentary was a collaboration between Kurt Cobain, who portrayed himself, and other members of the band, including Christian Nichols as "Krist Novoselic" and David Gale as "Dave Grohl."
This film started his production in 1990, and continued till 1995. This movie ended his production and was premiered before Cobain died in April.
The film begins by exploring the band's early years, mimicking the rise of Juche in North Korea, but with a distinctly exaggerated and surreal twist. It humorously delves into the band's formation, cultural clashes, and the absurdities of their journey to fame—often parodying the real-life struggles and politics surrounding North Korea's Juche ideology.
The film's playful nature reflects on the ridiculousness of the band's history, often mocking both political regimes and the absurd nature of fame. The band itself was a satirical commentary on the artificial constructs that surround both music and political systems, which made the mockumentary an instant cult classic among fans of both absurdist humor and music parodies.
The film also features various "interviews" with fictionalized versions of the band members, all of whom humorously downplay the seriousness of their journey, offering witty responses and bizarre insights.
Though it is primarily a parody of Juche, The History of Nirvana also serves as a homage to the absurdities of both music culture and the bizarre nature of fame, delivering a sharp satire on the power dynamics of the music industry.
The film was also a parody not just to Juche, but to The Beatles: All You Need is Love mockumentary and The Rutles: All You Need is Cash., and included famous people in their production such as David Bowie, Dirk McQuickly, Eminem, Snoop Dog, and many others.
Interestingly, the mockumentary takes place in the same universe as ''All You Need is Love''.
The movie was banned in North Korea, primarily due to its satirical portrayal of Juche and its critique of the political system, which was seen as disrespectful to the nation's ideology and leadership. However, the film sparked significant intrigue among the elite, leading to its classification as "restricted cultural material."
Only members of the band Juche and the Kim family were allowed private viewings of the film, as it was considered a unique cultural artifact. Interestingly, the film came close to being accepted as one of the first non-North Korean movies allowed for wider viewing in the country, as some officials recognized its artistic value and its potential as a subtle propaganda tool to demonstrate North Korea's influence on Western pop culture. This decision, however, was ultimately overturned, citing concerns over its comedic tone and exaggerated depictions of North Korean culture.
Nirvana Story Depicted in the Mockumentary[]
1985-1987: Formation and the Early Days[]
Nirvana's story begins in Aberdeen, Washington, where Kurt Cobain met Krist Novoselic. They connected through their mutual love for punk rock and underground music. After jamming together for months, they decided to form a band. Early on, they cycled through several drummers before settling on Aaron Burckhard. Their first name ideas included Skid Row and Pen Cap Chew, but they ultimately chose Nirvana to reflect a sense of peace and enlightenment.
The band’s first demo recordings showcased raw energy and a love for distorted guitars, laying the foundation for the grunge sound that would define their music.
1988-1990: The Sub Pop Era[]
In 1988, Nirvana signed with the Seattle-based independent label Sub Pop. With producer Jack Endino, they recorded their debut single, Love Buzz (a cover of a Shocking Blue song), which became a minor hit in the underground music scene. Later that year, they recorded their debut album, Bleach, on a modest budget of $606.17, which was paid for by Jason Everman, who briefly joined the band as a second guitarist.
While Bleach received positive reviews in the underground circuit, Nirvana's lineup was still evolving. Chad Channing, who played drums on most of the album, left the band in 1990, paving the way for a pivotal change.
1991-1992: Breakthrough with Nevermind[]
The addition of drummer Dave Grohl in late 1990 completed Nirvana's classic lineup. They signed with DGC Records and began recording their second album, Nevermind, with producer Butch Vig. Released in September 1991, the album featured hits like Smells Like Teen Spirit, which propelled Nirvana to mainstream success.
Nevermind dethroned Michael Jackson’s Dangerous from the top of the Billboard 200 in early 1992, signaling the arrival of grunge as a dominant genre. The band became reluctant spokespeople for Generation X, with Kurt Cobain often expressing discomfort with their sudden fame.
1993-1994: In Utero and the End[]
Nirvana's third album, In Utero, released in 1993, was a deliberate attempt to steer away from the polished sound of Nevermind. Produced by Steve Albini, the album was darker and more abrasive but still achieved commercial success with hits like Heart-Shaped Box and All Apologies.
In early 1994, Nirvana embarked on a European tour, but Cobain’s struggles with addiction and mental health increasingly took a toll.
Response of the Juche members[]

Former Juche Member, Snopp Dogg, and rapper Dr Dre alongside Kurt Cobain
Juche members' reaction to The History of Nirvana was mixed and generally very reserved. The film, which parodied both their band and the absurd elements of their lives, was not received enthusiastically by all members.
Snoop Dogg, who had a cameo in the film playing a DJ, was the only Juche member who showed an open and relaxed attitude toward the parody. During an interview after the film's release, Snoop commented, "I thought it was funny, they knew what they were doing. It's like when you laugh at yourself, it's easier to see the humor. Sure, it wasn't my story, but I got the joke, and it's cool."
As for the other members, opinions were less positive. Kim Jong-Chul, Juche's lead singer, maintained an ambiguous stance and rarely commented on the matter. In fact, in a 1995 interview, when asked about the film, he simply responded by shaking his head up and down, saying "Yes," without displaying any other emotion or comment.
On the other hand, Pak Byung-Ho-Semi, Juche's bassist, was blunt in his disdain. In several interviews, he was clearly irritated by the film, saying: "I don't see the humor in what Cobain did. He's just a failed comedian. He doesn't have the ability to make us laugh. It's not my kind of humor." His rejection of the parody was absolute, considering that the image that the film painted of Juche was distorted and ridiculed his legacy unnecessarily.
Eminem, who had been part of Juche's band as a drummer during his time in the United States, was also indifferent to the film. In a public statement, he said that he was not too interested in what others thought about the parody, but that he had personally disliked the approach.
Thus, while some Juche members such as Snoop Dogg showed a more relaxed and playful attitude towards the film, most members, including Pak Byung-Ho-Semi, considered it a mockery that they did not understand and did not respect.
Cast[]
Principal Cast[]
- Kurt Cobain as himself (Based on Kim Jong-Chul), and Malcom Harrison (a parody of Melvin Hall)
Cobain playing Malcom Harrison, a parody of Melvin Hall
- Christian Nichols as Krist Novoselic (Based on Pak Byung-ho-Semi)
- David Gale as Dave Grohl (Based on Snoop Dogg)
Supporting and Cameo Roles[]
- David Bowie as Himself
- Clara Least as Courtney Love
- Patrick Steele as Pat Smear
- Dirk McQuickly as "British Press Agent"
- William Campbell as Paul McCartney
- Eminem as TV conductor
- Mark Hamill as a "Lifelong Fan"
- Snoop Dogg as a cameo, playing a "DJ"