About the Book
We’ve all heard the phrase the truth is stranger than fiction. Never has that been truer than in the real
life story that unfolds in Paul Fischer’s A
Kim Jong-Il Production: The Extraordinary True Story of a Kidnapped Filmmaker, His
Star Actress, and a Young Dictator's Rise to Power.
Before
he became leader, Kim Jong-Il was the movie-obsessed head of North Korea’s
Ministry for Propaganda. Frustrated by the lack of talent for the movies he
wanted to make, Kim decided to change that in 1978 by kidnapping the leading
South Korean director, Shin Sang-Ok, and his ex-wife, the famous South Korean
actress, Choi Eun-hee. Choi was taken
first and when Shin went looking for her (they were still friendly), he was
nabbed. Put in isolated luxury, Choi was
trotted out for parties and kept in the finest apartments. Shin, after
attempting to escape more than once, was beaten and jailed, even forced to eat
grass for survival. This went on for nearly five years. Five years away from
their kids. Five years away from their country.
And five years stuck in North Korea with no realisation the other was
there.
That changed one night in 1983 when Shin was brought to a
party held in Kim’s honour. Reunited and emotional, Choi and Shin embraced as
Kim announced to the gathered photographers and guests that the couple would
remarry. The good news: they fell back
in love and stayed together until Shin’s death in 2006. The bad news: they were
still hostages of North Korea and, as planned by Kim, forced to make seven
films for the DPRK (Kim was credited as executive producer on each, of course)
before their escape in 1986.
Engrossing, shocking and, at times, bizarre, A Kim Jong-Il Production
offers readers an inside look at the world’s most secretive country,
from those forced to spend time there.
About the Author
Paul Fischer is an American film
producer. His first feature film, the documentary Radioman, was released
to critical and commercial acclaim. A Kim
Jong-Il Production is his first book.
