North Korean Films: A Cinematic Journey

Description: While not a documentary, this comedy film about a plot to assassinate Kim Jong-un caused international controversy and highlighted North Korea's sensitivity to its portrayal in global media.

Fact: The film led to a massive cyberattack on Sony Pictures, believed to be orchestrated by North Korea.

Description: This documentary recounts the bizarre true story of South Korean actress Choi Eun-hee and her ex-husband, director Shin Sang-ok, who were kidnapped by Kim Jong-il to make films for North Korea.

Fact: The film includes interviews with Choi Eun-hee, who lived to tell her tale of abduction and life in North Korea.

Description: This documentary tells the story of Shin Dong-hyuk, the only known person born in a North Korean political prison camp to have escaped, providing a chilling insight into the country's human rights abuses.

Fact: Shin's story has been both praised for its bravery and criticized for inconsistencies in his accounts.

Description: This documentary follows two young North Korean gymnasts as they prepare for the Mass Games, offering a rare look at daily life, indoctrination, and the spectacle of North Korean propaganda.

Fact: The film was shot over eight months, providing an unprecedented level of access to North Korean citizens.

Description: This film is a classic example of North Korean propaganda cinema, focusing on the hardships faced by a poor family under Japanese rule and their eventual liberation by Kim Il-sung's forces. It's a poignant narrative meant to evoke sympathy for the regime.

Fact: The film was remade in 1984 with improved production values to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the DPRK.

Description: A rare co-production between North Korea and the UK, this film tells the story of a young coal miner who dreams of becoming a trapeze artist. It's a light-hearted look at North Korean life, showcasing the country's attempt at a more international appeal.

Fact: It was the first North Korean film to be screened at the Busan International Film Festival in South Korea.

Description: This documentary explores the life of James Joseph Dresnok, an American soldier who defected to North Korea in 1962. It provides an insider's view of life in North Korea through interviews with defectors.

Fact: The film includes rare footage of North Korea and interviews with other American defectors.

Description: Directed by Yang Yong-hi, this documentary delves into the director's personal relationship with her family in North Korea, highlighting the emotional and political complexities of divided families.

Fact: The film was banned in North Korea due to its critical portrayal of the regime.

Description: A mockumentary that satirizes the North Korean propaganda film of the same name, showing the staged life of a North Korean family through the eyes of a disillusioned filmmaker.

Fact: The director, Vitaly Mansky, was given unprecedented access to film in North Korea but decided to reveal the staged nature of the production.

Description: This documentary follows a group of Danish comedians who travel to North Korea under the guise of a cultural exchange, secretly filming their experiences and interactions with the regime.

Fact: The film was controversial for its ethical implications, with some critics arguing it exploited North Koreans for entertainment.