It’s difficult to believe that places still exist where cruelty, intentional lies, and widespread manipulation are commonplace, with even minor rule violations resulting in exile to isolated labor camps, severe physical abuse, and even brutal public killings. This is daily life in North Korea, a regime driven by paranoia and lacking any hesitation when it comes to mistreating its citizens and limiting their access to information from outside the country. A United Nations report on human rights has compared the methods used there to those employed during Nazi Germany’s reign. Consequently, many people understandably desire to leave this difficult situation—particularly those who are able to recognize the falsehoods in the government's portrayal of their nation. However, escape is extremely dangerous, a frightening process that often requires defectors to head north into China and then navigate through various Asian countries instead of simply crossing over to democratic South Korea, which is protected by a heavily guarded border filled with land mines. Madeleine Gavin’s newest film aims to show audiences the hardships refugees face, featuring accounts from those who have managed to escape and those still trying to do so. The attempts of those seeking freedom are captured on camera with authentic, firsthand footage, without any staged recreations, providing detailed views of their struggles—sometimes successful, sometimes not. Along the way, the film also offers a brief but thorough look at how North Korea arrived at this point while uncovering some unsettling and previously unknown aspects of daily life in this secretive nation, things most people outside have likely never encountered. Due to this content, certain images may be upsetting, particularly for viewers who are easily disturbed, so caution is advised. Despite this, the film—which received a BAFTA Award nomination—is an essential work that those living beyond North Korea should see and hope can contribute to positive change.

Source on TMDB