A State of Mind
A State of Mind Image
See the trailer
Metascore
63 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critics What's this?

User Score
tbd

No user score yet- Awaiting 1 more rating

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • Summary: This observational film provides a rare glimpse into North Korea, one of the world’s least known societies. The film following two young gymnasts, 13 year old Pak Hyon Sun and 11 year old Kim Song Yun, and their families for over eight months in the lead up to the Mass Games -- involving a a cast of thousands in a choreographed socialist realism spectacular -- the biggest and most elaborate human performance on earth. (Kino International)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. New York Post
    Reviewed by: V.A. Musetto
    75
    Has two especially memorable sequences: the eye-popping Mass Games and a visit by a group of schoolgirls to incredibly beautiful Mount Paekdu, which is revered by Koreans on both sides of the DMZ.
  2. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Elizabeth Weitzman
    75
    Despite the obvious cultural differences, what we come away with is a surprising sense of familiarity. Not even the widest political chasms, Gordon finds, can eradicate the universal pleasure of a young girl's giggle.
  3. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Ty Burr
    75
    It's a quietly wrenching eye-opener.
  4. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Noel Murray
    60
    Beautifully shot and crisply edited to emphasize the Mass Games' pageantry, but amid the synchronized blocks of performers, Gordon singles out the cranky coaches and giggling schoolgirls, subtly emphasizing how the individual endures even when she's trying hard not to.

See all 14 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. ZivS
    8
    It's almost impossible to get authentic footage and interviews out of North Korea. The level of access Mr. Gordon receives for this film (following his favorable depiction of North Korea in the soccer-themed "the game of their lives" documentary) allows for a truly unprecedented viewing experience. I've only seen glimpses of North Korea through some television programming before this. The look at the daily lives of people in this country through this film is on a whole different level. The politics of this country are quite fascinating as well. Important viewing! Axis of evil baby.… Expand

Trailers

Current Movie Releases

Full List »
  1. Star Trek Into Darkness
    User Score 7.9
  2. The Great Gatsby
    User Score 7.6
  3. Evil Dead (2013)
    User Score 7.6
  4. The Croods
    User Score 7.4
  5. 42
    User Score 7.3
  6. Oblivion
    User Score 7.1
  7. Pain & Gain
    User Score 6.6
  8. Iron Man 3
    User Score 6.6
  9. Olympus Has Fallen
    User Score 6.5
  10. G.I. Joe: Retaliation
    User Score 5.5
  11. The Host
    User Score 4.6
  12. Scary Movie 5
    User Score 2.6
  13. Tyler Perry's Temptation
    User Score 2.0
All Current Movies »