Crossing the Line
Pusan International Film Festival
PUSAN, South Korea -- Blessed with a U.K./EU passport, documentarian Daniel Gordon returns to North Korea on the heels of his two previous films shot there -- "The Game of Their Lives", about that country's 1966 World Cup soccer team that made it to the quarterfinals, and "A State of Mind", about two young women participating in the North's overwhelming Mass Games -- for this profile of James Dresnok, the only American defector still living in the country. "Crossing the Line" couldn't have better timing in light of recent political events, and that likely is to pique interest from all corners of the globe. The film is a sure bet for almost any festival with a docu section.
In 1962, a young Dresnok stationed on the demilitarized zone, the most hostile strip of land in the world at the time, made a conscious decision simply to walk across the border one August day and make a life for himself in North Korea. Initially arrested as an infiltrator-spy, Dresnok eventually settled down, got married, had three children and generally got a life.
The film begins with a review of North Korean history and the isolated state's relationship with the world. Using archival material that a majority of viewers have likely seen before, "Crossing" starts off with a decidedly PBS feel. Much of it could be excised to make a tighter, more focused film. But that's a minor quibble once Gordon gets to the core interview. Dresnok recounts his youth as an orphan before enlisting in the military in his mid-teens, his early marriage and eventual posting to Korea.
One of the more notable aspects of the film is its generally positive portrayal of one of the world's most enigmatic countries. Perhaps it's just not negative as opposed to outright positive, but that slant goes a long way to putting a human face on the demonized state, much like Gordon's sport features did. The difference this time is the narrower scope, which makes an already compelling subject even more so. Also notable is a curious lack of politics in the film -- either from Gordon or Dresnok. A detailed examination of geopolitics simply might have been a casualty of Gordon's clear intention never to judge Dresnok, or make a joke out of him and his decision.
Dresnok comes across rather ambiguously at times. Because the film lacks a dense editorial tone, it delves into the man's everyday life in the DPRK. He speaks bluntly and matter-of-factly about the nation, never bringing up policy. Having spent more time in North Korea at this point than he has in his native Virginia inevitably raises the question as to whether he believes what he's saying or has simply been conditioned like the rest of the population. He holds his life in Pyongyang with the same regard as many Westerners living and working overseas do: It's just a place, and now it's home. Nonetheless, watching Dresnok look at pictures of his former home, friends and family left behind -- that he'll never see again -- is moving, and it gives the film its heart.
There are a series of coups here, among them Gordon's interviews with former colleagues and friends from Dresnok's American life, as well as a number of North Korean soldiers (like the ones who arrested him in 1962). And kudos must go to the researchers who unearthed an old radio interview Dresnok did in North Korea decades ago. Ultimately, Dresnok comes across as honest and credible, and his story is absolutely fascinating.
CROSSING THE LINE
A VeryMuchSo, BBC, E Pictures production
Credits:
Director: Daniel Gordon
Producers: Daniel Gordon, Nicholas Bonner
Director of photography: Nick Bennet
Music: Craig Armstrong
Editor: Peter Haddon
Narrator: Christian Slater
Running time -- 91 minutes
No MPAA rating...
PUSAN, South Korea -- Blessed with a U.K./EU passport, documentarian Daniel Gordon returns to North Korea on the heels of his two previous films shot there -- "The Game of Their Lives", about that country's 1966 World Cup soccer team that made it to the quarterfinals, and "A State of Mind", about two young women participating in the North's overwhelming Mass Games -- for this profile of James Dresnok, the only American defector still living in the country. "Crossing the Line" couldn't have better timing in light of recent political events, and that likely is to pique interest from all corners of the globe. The film is a sure bet for almost any festival with a docu section.
In 1962, a young Dresnok stationed on the demilitarized zone, the most hostile strip of land in the world at the time, made a conscious decision simply to walk across the border one August day and make a life for himself in North Korea. Initially arrested as an infiltrator-spy, Dresnok eventually settled down, got married, had three children and generally got a life.
The film begins with a review of North Korean history and the isolated state's relationship with the world. Using archival material that a majority of viewers have likely seen before, "Crossing" starts off with a decidedly PBS feel. Much of it could be excised to make a tighter, more focused film. But that's a minor quibble once Gordon gets to the core interview. Dresnok recounts his youth as an orphan before enlisting in the military in his mid-teens, his early marriage and eventual posting to Korea.
One of the more notable aspects of the film is its generally positive portrayal of one of the world's most enigmatic countries. Perhaps it's just not negative as opposed to outright positive, but that slant goes a long way to putting a human face on the demonized state, much like Gordon's sport features did. The difference this time is the narrower scope, which makes an already compelling subject even more so. Also notable is a curious lack of politics in the film -- either from Gordon or Dresnok. A detailed examination of geopolitics simply might have been a casualty of Gordon's clear intention never to judge Dresnok, or make a joke out of him and his decision.
Dresnok comes across rather ambiguously at times. Because the film lacks a dense editorial tone, it delves into the man's everyday life in the DPRK. He speaks bluntly and matter-of-factly about the nation, never bringing up policy. Having spent more time in North Korea at this point than he has in his native Virginia inevitably raises the question as to whether he believes what he's saying or has simply been conditioned like the rest of the population. He holds his life in Pyongyang with the same regard as many Westerners living and working overseas do: It's just a place, and now it's home. Nonetheless, watching Dresnok look at pictures of his former home, friends and family left behind -- that he'll never see again -- is moving, and it gives the film its heart.
There are a series of coups here, among them Gordon's interviews with former colleagues and friends from Dresnok's American life, as well as a number of North Korean soldiers (like the ones who arrested him in 1962). And kudos must go to the researchers who unearthed an old radio interview Dresnok did in North Korea decades ago. Ultimately, Dresnok comes across as honest and credible, and his story is absolutely fascinating.
CROSSING THE LINE
A VeryMuchSo, BBC, E Pictures production
Credits:
Director: Daniel Gordon
Producers: Daniel Gordon, Nicholas Bonner
Director of photography: Nick Bennet
Music: Craig Armstrong
Editor: Peter Haddon
Narrator: Christian Slater
Running time -- 91 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 10/27/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.