Life in North Korea is far from easy. The political situation is devastating, with a combination of lack of democracy and a very difficult economical situation. This could've permitted a skillful director to shoot a film that criticizes all these things. But the film fails to be realistic and it seems like a pure propaganda. Let me explain it: the regime is depicted using unnecessary violence, as if all the officers are villains by nature, and enjoy torturing poor people, especially little kids. The buildings looks like two centuries ago. Social care simply doesn't exist at all. All we see is soldiers who oppress, and misery. This exaggeration backfires, it is simply unconvincing. Technically the film is not better. The main characters are caricatures. The acting and the direction are awful, the story is not at all convinsing. It is very strange that the IMDb rating is so high...I cannot recommend this film, it reminds me some blockbusters shot during the Cold War...

Initially, I agreed with one of the previous comments about the "ex-football star" background of the protagonist. The tidbit seemed cheap, unreal, and less authentic. The more I thought about it though, I suspect that the choice was made for two reasons: 1) to make the protagonist appeal to the rest of world, especially South Koreans, by creating this common interest (football/"soccer"). I think the world has a hard time relating to North Koreans. Americans and some South Koreans have this phobia of communist countries. Furthermore, North Koreans have been in a hermit state for a very long time. Very little is known or seen of the North Korean citizens themselves. The football thing was a simple way of making people realize that North Koreans are human beings, and in some ways they're just like us. 2) to show that the protagonist was not against the North Korean government. Well, at least not outwardly. I think this film did a good job of staying away from direct commentary on the N.K. government. Yes, the film paints the government in a bad light at times. That really can't be helped, as many of the scenes are based on true accounts. However, not once does the protagonist start ranting about how his government failed him. While there is heavy censorship in North Korea to speak against the government, the film could have had the protagonist 'think' these thoughts or discuss them safely with his family-- but it didn't. The main problem that the protagonist faces-- and that many North Koreans face-- is not that he resents his government (although, we like to think North Koreans do). His problem is that his family is starved, sick, and unable to find help in a country that lacks resources. For those two points, I have to applaud the film. I think it made a sincere effort to do what's best for the cause-- North Korean Human Rights-- and not just focus on what's best for the art.If anyone is interested in learning about how they can help, you can search the web for The Chosun Journal, U.S. Committee for Human Rights in North Korea, Liberty in North Korea, or Amnesty International's page on North Korea. Like any cause, donations are very important. But unlike most causes, I think the biggest challenge for N.K. Human Rights is that most of the world (and concerning, most South Koreans) ignores it. I hope this film succeeds in bringing more awareness to the plight of the suffering.

I saw this in Korea over the summer (2008) at a special preview screening with English subtitles.It is a very powerful story that aims to depict the plight of ordinary North Koreans in the face of sickness, hunger, poverty, oppression and, inevitably, fear. The production is excellent, and the storyline is very believable - well, it is based on real events! In fact, you'll find many of the topics covered in documentaries made on N. Korea over the last 10 years - particularly those that include secretly shot footage smuggled out of the country. While there are elements of sentimentalism, it isn't overdone as it is in many Korean movies.However, there were a couple of minor annoyances:1. The bible cropped up early enough in the film, and I thought: "Oh no, the director is going to spin some pro-Christian message later on", but while this thread is returned to later in the movie, it is pretty much left hanging.2. The makers of this film couldn't resist making the main character a a former footballer (soccer player) of some repute. This was totally unnecessary and distracted somewhat from the credibility of the content. This needed to be a movie with ordinary characters in what is simply an extraordinary, but common, predicament.Nevertheless, despite these small annoyances, the film gets across its main tenet, and should leave no viewer unmoved.

This is a very moving movie about human rights and family relation. The North Korean government is so cruel to their citizens. The father in the movie escaped to China just for buying medicines for his wife. But, his wife died due to the short of health care. His son escaped to China after that. But he didn't make it, right before he could see his father. If I was that father, I would be crazy. He left home in the hope to save his wife's life. But actually, he made his wife died and his son tortured in the labor camp of North Korea and died on the way to find him. So sad.I am very glad to see so many international organizations helping those North Korean refugees to escape. How can I reach some of those? I wanna donate money to them.I suggest Chinese government to accept those refugees rather than deport them back to North Korea. They will be killed! I also don't agree with current US ways on treating Mexican illegal immigrants. They are just so desperate. They are hungry. They just need the basic level of life.There is a saying, "Save one life, save the entire world", which is said at the end of the Schindler's list. There is no excuse to forget them. If we can do it, then do it!