News
Magnolia Acquires Documentary About Kidnapped 'Pulgasari' Director Shin Sang-ok

Magnolia Acquires Documentary About Kidnapped 'Pulgasari' Director Shin Sang-ok

Scified.com
By G. H. (Gman)Scified TokusatsuPublished: January 29, 2016

For those interested in a strange piece of asian film history, perhaps one of the most bizzare tales in film history, Magnolia will be distributing The Lovers and the Despot. The documentary directed by Rob Cannan and Ross Adams' follows the survival of South Korean director Shin Sang-ok and his ex-wife, actress Choi Eun-hee.

By orders of Kim Jong-il, Shin was kidnapped to make films for the future North Korean leader. The most popular of these propaganda imbued films was Pulgasari (1985), North Korea's Godzilla imitation. Special effects were directed by Teruyoshi Nakano (Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla [1974], The Return of Godzilla [1984]) and Heisei Godzilla series suit actor Kenpachiro Satsuma played the monster. Pulgasari was the last film Shin Sang-ok made for North Korea before escaping to a United States embassy in Vienna.

The Lovers and Despot will cover the full scope of Shin's imprisonment with Choi Eun-hee. "Rob and Ross have captured a jaw-dropping, true-life story whose plot could have been pulled straight out of a Hollywood spy thriller. The Lovers and the Despot is a powerful, elegantly crafted film that needs to be seen to be believed," says Eamonn Bowles, President of Magnolia.

The film will be released later in 2016.

--
Follow GMAN on Twitter at GMANonScified

 

also

 

Like SCIFIED TOKUSATSU on Facebook

Sources:
Indiewire

 

0 Comments

Join the discussion! Sign in using your Scified Account to add your say!

New to the site? You can create your own profile in seconds!

* Signing in also removes ads *

Recently Active Forums
Godzilla: Minus One Discussion Forum
Godzilla: Minus OneDiscuss the Toho movie, Godzilla: Minus One here!
Predator Movies Discussion Forum
Predator MoviesDiscuss the new Predator movies here
Aliens vs. Predator Games Discussion Forum
Aliens vs. Predator GamesDiscuss AvP Games here
Alien: Earth Series Discussion Forum
Alien: Earth SeriesDiscuss the Alien FX TV series here!
New Forum Topics
Hot Forum Topics
Latest Media
Scified Community Stats
Scified hosts a network of online communities containing 406,152 posts by 48,387 members (5 are online now). The Godzilla: Minus One Forum is the most recently active forum. The latest Forum topic added was: Godzilla Minus One 2 or Shin-Godzilla 2? Which sequel are you more excited for?
VIPWhat are VIP?AdminModeratorSpecial TitleMemberLeaderboard

Scified is an entertainment website and media network offering scoops and reporting on the most popular, upcoming science fiction movies, games and television. All content is property of Scified.com unless otherwise stated. Images and titles of content we promote, discuss, review or report are property of their respective owners. Scified is independently owned and operated by a team of dedicated sci-fi movie fans, who strive to provide the best information and community experience for other like-minded sci-fi movie enthusiasts.

Scified Website Logo
© 2025 Scified.com
New Member? Join Up!
Create A Profile

Remove Ads, Contribute Content, Win Prizes!

Already A Member? Sign in


Log in to view your personalized notifications across Scified!

Fandom Communities
AlienFansite
GodzillaFansite
PredatorFansite
Main Menu
Community
Sci-Fi Movies
Help & Info