:
Daniel Gordon,
Daniel Gordon
:
Daniel Gordon,
Daniel Gordon
see all cast/crew...
: Kino
: Documentary, Foreign
: 94 min.
: English, Korean
: English
see additional details...
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While North Korea is slowly growing into a world power, thanks in part to the controversial actions of its leader, Kim Jong II, it is also a nation cut off from the world, keeping little contact with its neighbors China and Russia and separated from South Korea. North Korea is one of the few nations where hard-line adherence to Communist ideals is still the order of the day, and British filmmaker Daniel Gordon traveled to North Korea to document an unusual annual event, the Mass Games, a massive performance featuring literally thousands of dancers, gymnasts, athletes and musicians staged as a celebration of patriotism and the socialist ideal. Pak Hyon Sun and Kim Song Yon are two girls who were selected to perform in the Mass Games as part of a gymnastics program, and A State of Mind follows them as they prepare for the show, hoping against hope their efforts please Kim Jong II; along the way, the film offers a perspective on their daily lives and the lives of those around them in a land largely unknown and little understood in the West. Director Daniel Gordon has examined sports and politics in North Korea before with his acclaimed documentary The Game of Their Lives. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
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| a study of humanity
by criticalmv
June 3, 2008 - 2:13 PM PDT
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2 out of 3 members found this review helpful
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| although the gymnastics in the film are amazing - the story of these two precious little girls and their families is really about the truths we all share in life, regardless of the scope of our world. Watching a society so tightly controlled gave me shivers, and of all the ugly, hateful teachings of this dictator are reflected in these characters- - but it doesn't take away from their human experiences or our ability to watch and cheer for them. A facinating peak into life on another planet, 12 hours away. |
| interesting in theory
by GMenduni
May 18, 2008 - 5:44 PM PDT
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1 out of 2 members found this review helpful
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gymnastics sequences were incredible. the film just didn't hold my attention for its entirety.
i wanted to be engaged, really, i did. |
| going communist now
by rarcher
May 5, 2006 - 8:36 AM PDT
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1 out of 2 members found this review helpful
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watching the incredible synchronized gymnastics and insane cooperative art of the mass games blew my mind
imagine something sort of like cirque du soleil x1000 in unison
incredible
the general worship really tripped me out and made me think, i guess this is how sacred monarchies, etc lasted so long before
apparently, in the right environments, humans = insects
so what do i have to do to win the pig? |
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GreenCine Member Rating
(Average 7.11)
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