Watch North Korea: Children of the Secret State

North Korea: Children of the Secret State is a 2001 documentary film that provides a rare insight into the lives of children living in North Korea, one of the most isolated countries in the world. The film, which was directed by Andrew Phillips and produced by Brian Woods, was shot covertly by Joe Layburn, who spent a month inside the country gathering footage.

The documentary begins with a brief history of North Korea and its isolationist policies, which have made it virtually impossible for outsiders to gain access to the country. Layburn, who poses as a tourist, manages to gain access to Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, where he is followed everywhere by government minders.

The documentary focuses primarily on the lives of children, who are shown attending school, playing with friends, and participating in various activities. The children are portrayed as enthusiastic and patriotic, with a deep love for their country and its leader, Kim Jong-il.

However, as the film progresses, it becomes clear that the reality of life in North Korea is far from idyllic. The children are forced to worship Kim Jong-il as a god-like figure and are taught to hate the United States and other Western countries. They are subjected to a strict regime of propaganda and brainwashing, and are regularly subjected to food shortages and other forms of deprivation.

Despite these hardships, the children seem remarkably resilient, and the documentary is filled with small moments of joy and humor. For example, one boy is shown playing soccer with a homemade ball made out of a plastic bag, while another girl happily shows off her collection of imitation flowers.

Throughout the film, Layburn also interviews a number of North Korean refugees, who escaped the country by crossing the border into China. These interviews provide a stark contrast to the propaganda-filled world portrayed in the rest of the documentary, as the refugees describe in detail the horrors of life in North Korea, including forced labor, political persecution, and mass starvation.

One of the most powerful moments in the film comes towards the end, when Layburn and his crew witness a public execution in a rural village. The execution, which is carried out by firing squad, serves as a chilling reminder of the brutal nature of the North Korean regime, and underscores the importance of understanding the realities of life inside the country.

Overall, North Korea: Children of the Secret State is a haunting and often heartbreaking documentary that provides a rare glimpse into a country that is notorious for its secrecy and isolationism. Through the eyes of its children, the film paints a complex portrait of a nation that is at once deeply patriotic and deeply oppressed, and serves as a sobering reminder of the devastating effects of totalitarianism.

North Korea: Children of the Secret State is a 2008 documentary with a runtime of 52 minutes.