Fear of collective punishment is used to silence dissent.
It added, Teenagers were reportedly executed for watching and sharing a South Korean TV show.
I knew it wasnt going to be recreations, she told Deadline during an interview in Telluride.
North Korean escapees attempt to reach freedom on ‘Beyond Utopia’Roadside Attractions
And I knew I needed a present tense an escape, really, or an attempted escape.
What ensues is one of the most dramatic flights to freedom ever captured on film.
Pastor Kims bold missions come with grave risks.
A North Korean propaganda posterPictures From History/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
He has also sustained serious injury on rescue attempts in wintry conditions in North Korea and China.
He lifted up his shirt to show a back brace meant to relieve some of his pain.
Three times surgery on the back area, he noted.
Bloated bodies, his interpreter said.
In the film, Hyeonseo Lee, the author, recounts a shocking fact of life in North Korea.
There are strict quotas on the quantity of human waste people must deliver for the sake of the nation.
People really do steal [waste] from each other, Gavin said.
People are locking their outhouses [to prevent theft].
Its a big, big deal.
Her interpreter said, Shes just surprised thatweare surprised.
A typical route of escape takes a would-be defector from North Korea across the Yalu River into China.
Then these women will escape [China].
Theyll come back to North Korea and if theyre pregnant, theyre forced to have an abortion.
Theres even infanticide thats going on.
So, this is ahugecrisis, particularly for women.
Which means that anyone can turn you in at any time.
Beyond Utopiapremiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January.
It is being released domestically byRoadside AttractionsandFathom Events.
And then educating people inside North Korea.
Terry, the producer, also hopes for a big impact forBeyond Utopia.
Theres not enough focus on humanitarian issues and hearing from North Korean people, she said.
We have lost our focus and priority.
Were just really focused on WMD [weapons of mass destruction] and not the people of North Korea.
Soyeon Lee, the North Korean defector, describes a simple wish for the impact of the film.
Her hope through this movie is to have a meal with her son.
Thats the main hope, Lees interpreter explained.
