Film Review — Pulgasari (1985). In 1978, Kim Jong-il, the son of North…

In 1978, Kim Jong-il, the son of North Korea’s then-leader Kim Il-sung, who was also a film enthusiast in charge of the country’s cultural and artistic affairs (and the future leader of North Korea), abducted South Korean film director Shin Sang-ok and his wife, the famous actress Choi Eun-hee, and forced them to make films for him. Yes, it sounds like the plot of an absurd comedy movie, but it is completely true. Of course, it’s worth emphasizing the word “true,” because North Korea claims that Shin Sang-ok came voluntarily to contribute to socialism. Still, one way or another, the poor man and his wife remained prisoners in North Korea for eight years, during which they were forced to make seven films for the North Korean government. The last of these films, Pulgasari (1985), was made with the intention of creating North Korea’s own Godzilla, influenced by the success of Godzilla films. Afterwards, director Shin Sang-ok managed to escape the country by hiding at the U.S. embassy in Vienna, where he had gone to promote the film. It sounds like Argo (2012), doesn’t it? But it’s the opposite. Maybe one day, a film about this story will be made.

The film is set during the late years of the Goryeo dynasty, which ruled for about 400 years — so approximately in the 1300s. In real history, the dynasty ended as a result of a classic struggle for the throne, whereas in this film, Pulgasari destroys…