Kimjongilia

Kimjongilia is the name of a flower bred to celebrate North Korean leader Kim Jong Il's 46th birthday. Said to represent love, peace, justice and wisdom, in director N. C. Heikin's hands it instead becomes a devastating symbol of oppression.

Heikin opens up the doors to one of the most isolated countries in the world - North Korea - giving the outside world unique glimpses of the reigning realties of the communistic dictatorship. Stepping out of the darkness are defectors who bravely speak up and share their stories of life in concentration camps and dramatic escapes to neighboring countries China and South Korea.

Faced with the challenge of making a documentary in the total absence of footage of the camps or the starvation - and with no way of gaining access to shoot such footage - Heikin pairs reminiscences with recreation. Clearly influenced by Lanzmann's Holocaust documentary "Shoah" in her powerful use of testimony, while simultaneously emulating Errol Morris's flamboyantly creative treatment of actuality, Heikin succeeds in giving long-overdue voice to those who have been silenced.
LEE BLANCHARD

Cast
Kang Chol Hwan, Lee Shin, Choi Young Hun: Producer
Mike Figgis: Script
NC Heikin: Cinematography
Kyle Saylors: Music
Michael Gordon: Spoken language
Korean: Subtitle
English