Videos

A State of Mind
Producer/Director: Daniel Gordon Executive Producer: John Battsek A VeryMuchSo Production in Association with Passion Pictures for the BBC. An observational film following two young gymnasts and their families for over eight months in the lead up to the 50th Anniversary Mass Games in North Korea - involving a cast of thousands in a choreographed socialist realism spectacular- the biggest and most elaborate human performance on earth. The film provides a rare glimpse into what is one of the world�s least known societies. North Korea is sealed off from outside influences. The crew began filming in February 2003 and have had unique access to the families' day to day life from home, at work in the city and countryside, a remarkable insight into a part of North Korean society never before allowed. As their Korean minder explained ''you have to understand, no one has ever been allowed to see, let alone film, what you are witnessing''. Western eyes, for the very first time, have a unique insight into North Korean society, its people, its way of life, and its total devotion to their leader and ruler, Kim Jong Il. "A fascinating documentary" The Sunday Telegraph "An eye-opening documentary" The Independent "A beautiful film" Sunday Times "The footage of the games is magnificent but it is the insight into Korean lives that is breathtaking" Sunday Times "An incredible portrait of a very different way of life" The Guardian "Coolly observed and well filmed, it builds into a thought provoking picture of that nation, and culminates in an extraordinary finale...deserves to win awards'' The Radio Times "An extraordinary documentary...a rare picture of a secret and little understood country" The Guardian
Directed by:Daniel Gordon,