The Lovers and the Despot

This documentary deals with an incredulous happening, which the audience will find hard to believe actually took place. The documentary tells the story about the ambitious director, Shin Sang-ok, and the actress, Choi Eun-hee, on top of the South Korean film industry. The film takes place after the Korean War and the division of the country into North and Sout Korea. Their life takes an unexpected turn in 1978 when they are kidnapped and brought to North Korea. In North Korea, they are introduced to the dictator’s son, Kim Jong-il, who is obsessed with movies and wants to make the director and actress his own personal filmmakers.

The Lovers and the Despot is a combination of film clips, and rare footage and telephone conversations with Kim Jong-il, which when, combined together, produce an important insight into the regime. The film premiered during the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year and is a must-see documentary.

Ross Adam is a director and actor. This documentary is his directorial debut, which he made in cooperation with Robert Cannan. It is Cannan's second documentary. In 2008 he directed the documentary Three Miles North of Molkom (2008) about Ängsbacka in Sweden, a 21st Century playground for adults.