North Korea’s Supreme Leader and His Cinematic Vision of Control
Kim Jong-il, the former leader of North Korea, is often remembered for his iron-fisted rule, nuclear ambitions, and eccentric persona. Yet, one of his lesser-known legacies is his obsession with movies and his role as a self-styled filmmaker. This fascination with cinema wasn’t just a personal indulgence—it became a cornerstone of North Korea’s propaganda machine, shaping the way the regime controlled its people and presented itself to the world.
In this blog, we’ll delve into Kim Jong-il’s passion for film, how he used it to pioneer propaganda in North Korea, and the lasting impact of his cinematic endeavours.
A Cinematic Obsession
Kim Jong-il’s love for movies was unparalleled, even among film enthusiasts. He reportedly owned a collection of over 20,000 films, spanning everything from Hollywood blockbusters to Soviet classics. He was particularly fond of James Bond, Godzilla, and romantic dramas, using these films to study techniques and plot devices.
However, Kim didn’t just watch movies—he wanted to create them. Before becoming North Korea’s Supreme Leader, he oversaw the country’s film industry, producing and directing propaganda films aimed at glorifying the regime and indoctrinating its citizens.
The Role of Cinema in North Korean Propaganda
Kim Jong-il understood the power of storytelling and visual media as tools of control. Under his leadership, film became one of the most significant propaganda tools in North Korea.
- Glorifying the Leader and the Regime
Films produced under Kim’s supervision depicted North Korea as a utopia, led by benevolent and godlike leaders. They reinforced the myth of the Kim family’s divine authority, presenting them as saviours of the nation. - Demonising Enemies
North Korean films often portrayed the United States, Japan, and South Korea as villains. These stories were designed to instil fear and hatred towards foreign powers, reinforcing the regime’s narrative that North Korea was under constant threat. - Moral and Ideological Messaging
The films carried strong messages of loyalty, sacrifice, and collective spirit. Heroes in these stories were ordinary North Koreans who triumphed by prioritising the collective good over personal desires—aligning perfectly with the regime’s ideology. - International Perception
While most of Kim’s cinematic output was for domestic consumption, some films were aimed at showcasing North Korean culture and ideology to the outside world. However, these efforts often fell flat, with international audiences viewing them as heavy-handed propaganda.
The Kidnapping of South Korean Filmmakers
Kim Jong-il’s obsession with creating the perfect propaganda films led him to commit one of the most audacious acts in cinematic history: the abduction of South Korean director Shin Sang-ok and actress Choi Eun-hee in the late 1970s.
- The Goal: Kim wanted Shin and Choi to revitalise North Korea’s stagnant film industry, bringing their expertise to create higher-quality propaganda films.
- The Outcome: Over several years, the pair were forced to produce films in North Korea, including the infamous Pulgasari, a Godzilla-inspired monster movie. They eventually escaped in 1986, exposing Kim’s bizarre plan to the world.
This kidnapping highlighted Kim’s extreme methods and his belief that cinema was a crucial weapon in shaping ideology and perception.
Kim Jong-il’s Film Theory
Kim Jong-il didn’t just make movies; he wrote about them too. In 1973, he authored On the Art of the Cinema, a manifesto outlining his views on the role of film in society. The book emphasised:
- The Role of Film in Shaping Ideology: Kim argued that movies were a “powerful weapon” for educating and mobilising the masses.
- The Importance of Emotion: He believed films should evoke strong emotional responses to inspire loyalty and devotion to the state.
- The Director’s Authority: Kim asserted that directors should have absolute control over their productions, reflecting his own top-down leadership style.
This treatise became the blueprint for North Korean cinema, dictating how films should serve the regime’s goals.
The Legacy of Kim Jong-il’s Cinematic Rule
Kim Jong-il’s influence on North Korean cinema is still felt today. His films continue to be screened in the country, serving as both entertainment and indoctrination. While their quality may seem laughable to outsiders, these films play a critical role in maintaining the regime’s control.
However, his obsession with movies also revealed his contradictory nature. Here was a leader who admired the creativity and artistry of global cinema while using it to suppress freedom of expression and promote rigid propaganda.
The Impact of Film on Propaganda
Kim Jong-il’s use of film as a propaganda tool underscores the broader power of cinema in shaping perception. In North Korea, movies became an effective means of reinforcing the regime’s narratives, blurring the line between art and control.
This raises important questions about the role of media in politics:
- How can art remain free from manipulation?
- What responsibility do creators have in resisting propaganda?
- Can media be used to both empower and oppress?
Final Thoughts
Kim Jong-il’s obsession with film reveals the dual nature of cinema: as a medium for storytelling and as a tool for control. His legacy in North Korea’s film industry is a testament to how powerful media can be in shaping ideology and maintaining authoritarian regimes.
At Flaminky, we believe in exploring how art, media, and technology intersect with politics and culture. Kim Jong-il’s cinematic ambitions may have been extreme, but they offer valuable lessons about the influence of storytelling—and the importance of protecting it from those who would use it for oppression.
Whether you’re watching a blockbuster or an indie film, take a moment to consider the power of the medium. As Kim Jong-il proved, cinema isn’t just entertainment—it’s a weapon, a mirror, and a force capable of shaping the world.