A State of Mind

Name: A State of Mind
Genre: Documentary
Released: August 10, 2005
Duration: 93 min
Rating: 63

2005

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Generally favorable reviews based on 14 Critic Reviews

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A State Of Mind

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Movie Details & Credits

Kino International | Release Date: August 10, 2005

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 cast of thousands in a choreographed socialistThis 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 cast of thousands in a choreographed socialist realism spectacular -- the biggest and most elaborate human performance on earth. (Kino International)… Expand

Director: Daniel Gordon

Genre(s): Documentary

Runtime: 93 min

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Critic Reviews

V.A. Musetto

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. Read full review

Ty Burr

It's a quietly wrenching eye-opener. Read full review

Elizabeth Weitzman

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. Read full review

Kevin Crust

The result is a fresh, straightforward portrayal of what the film calls "the least visible ... least known ... least understood ... country in the world." Read full review

Paul Malcolm

The stadiums and performance halls of Pyongyang become staging grounds for massive, highly choreographed political pageants that make the Nuremberg rallies look like dinner theater. You’ve never seen anything quite like these dazzling displays of groupthink. Read full review

Derek Elley

Admirably non-judgmental docu about life in "the least visited, known, understood country in the world," per Brit director Daniel Gordon, brings a refreshing balance to the usual blind vilification of the country. Read full review

G. Allen Johnson

Although the documentary is ostensibly about these girls and their friendship, training and school life, a healthy chunk of it is a portrait of the two families. Read full review

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ZivS

May 15, 2006

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 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

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