A State of Mind (2003) Reviews

A State of Mind (2003)
Play Trailer and Clips
Member Rating:  
While North Korea is slowly growing into a world power, thanks in part to the controversial actions of its leader, Kim Jong II, it is also a nation cut off from the world, keeping little contact with its neighbors China and Russia and separated from South Korea. North Korea is one of the few nations where hard-line adherence to Communist ideals is still the order of the day, and British filmmaker Daniel Gordon traveled to North Korea to document an unusual annual event, the Mass Games, a massive performance featuring literally thousands of dancers, gymnasts, athletes and musicians staged as a celebration of patriotism and the socialist ideal. Pak Hyon Sun and Kim Song Yon are two girls who were selected to perform in the Mass Games as part of a gymnastics program, and A State of Mind follows them as they prepare for the show, hoping against hope their efforts please Kim Jong II; along the way, the film offers a perspective on their daily lives and the lives of those around them in a land largely unknown and little understood in the West. Director Daniel Gordon has examined sports and politics in North Korea before with his acclaimed documentary The Game of Their Lives. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

 Read More


Starring:
Daniel Gordon
Director(s):
Daniel Gordon
Format(s):
DVD
View All Versions to rent and buy
 
 
 
 
 
 

Average Ratings

(12 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

Gene A.

A rare looking into a nation that has been defined for us by media and national scorn. Puts the politics aside and shows us an inside look at such a reclusive nation. This movie puts thought into perspective. We are all human, and we all feel, fear and love despite our cultural obligations.

Yes   |   No


Steven C.

The thousands of participants in the "Mass Games" are stunning to watch, each one having remarkable ability - and flexibility like rubber bands - that comes from working on their group routines for hours every day. What is sad is the indoctrination that leads to blind adoration of "The General," and blaming their national dysfunctions on the US just as the Nazis blamed all of their problems on the Jews. It is similarly hard not to notice the similarities between the huge scale of the mass games and the similar displays of the Nazi regime. This film is valuable as a reminder both of the nature of these closed countries, and the kinship we all have as human beings.

Yes   |   No


Nick L.

It's ridiculous watching a society with as many needs as North Korea devote such time, energy and money to their annual games. That said, the games are spectacular. Watching that many people work in complete synchronization is spectacular. The card displays in the stands were my favorite.

Yes   |   No


Marion C.

This movie was bitter-sweet. On the one hand, the beauty of the country and people was amazing. The Mass Games were amazing to watch! The colors and everyone in unison was a eye pleaser. The people have such devotion to "their Father/the General" that they will work many hard hours just to be picked as one of the chosen few, in a mass of many, to perform for him and the government officials. Yet, on the other hand it is sad to see that North Korea has no individuality. They must all conform to their governments ways of thinking and daily living. This movie was a look into the lives of two girls and their famlies daily lives. I loved the colors, scenery and the passion of the people. This movie is a must see - even if only to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the movie. The writer and directors did a wonderful job of being nonjudgemental and just showing the truth of everyday life in North Korea.

Yes   |   No


Denna B.

Unlike most documentaries, the narration is minimal and most of the film contains subtitles between the family members and footage of various locations. Watching this film was like watching breaking news of the Berlin Wall falling. Given the secrecy surrounding the country, there's a sense that you're seeing something few have ever seen. Compared to what is publicly available, the film crew seemed to get remarkable access to families and locations. Even though the Korean people in the film are of the privileged class that are allowed to live in the city, there's a continuous feeling of mandatory resourcefulness. The audio is output in stereo. As for extras, there's "An Interview with Director Daniel Gordon" featurette (20:17 min), a "CNN: a state of mind" featurette (7:18 min) and a "Stills Gallery". Definitely recommended.

Yes   |   No


Keith K.

Very interesting. BBC did commendable job.

Yes   |   No


Ryan S.

A fascinating look at life in North Korea.

Yes   |   No


Jen T.

This is a rare and fascinating view into a society that has a different reality than any of us in the western world. The filmmakers have managed to make the people we meet in this film people that we relate to on some levels and are completely unable to fathom on others.

Yes   |   No


Abigail P.

I could not watch it because the English was not subtitled. I am hard of hearing and I rely on captions and subtitles to follow the movie. I was really looking forward to watching this documentary. Very disappointed.

Yes   |   No


James V.

It surprises me to say, but after watching A STATE OF MIND--the British documentary about two young North Korean girls training for their country's Mass Games--I have the sense that the citizens of North Korea, a straight-jacketed country with its populace brainwashed into "group" everything, are simply not interesting enough to fill up a 90-minute film. I'm still happy to have seen this movie because there is so little available about or from North Korea that the film becomes a must-see simply by virtue of its existence. The girls are sweet and their gymnastic skills--meshing together like cogs in a machine--are amazing. Like a colony of ants, the group/state is everything here, and its dictator, "The General," as his people call him, is a figure of nearly god-like proportion. Unfortunately "The General" makes himself pretty damn scarce, bringing to mind a certain Beckett play that may or may not deal with a "god" who never appears. Get with it, General: Your people are waiting.

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

BY MAIL

Monthly Subscription
NEW! 7 - Day Rental
No subscription required. Usually ships in 24 hours.
 
Buy New  $20.99
 

IN-STORE

 

What's Your Take?

Add to FavoritesIn Favorites  |  Share:     Email to a friendShare on FacebookShare on Twitter
    YOUR REVIEW
    WRITE A REVIEW
     
    1000 
     
    Member Reviews
    Read all (12)
     
    Gene A.

    A rare looking into a nation that has been defined for us by media and national scorn. Puts the politics aside and shows us an inside look at such a reclusive nation. This movie puts thought into perspective. We are all human, and we all feel, fear and love despite our cultural obligations.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Steven C.

    The thousands of participants in the "Mass Games" are stunning to watch, each one having remarkable ability - and flexibility like rubber bands - that comes from working on their group routines for hours every day. What is sad is the indoctrination that leads to blind adoration of "The General," and blaming their national dysfunctions on the US just as the Nazis blamed all of their problems on the Jews. It is similarly hard not to notice the similarities between the huge scale of the mass games and the similar displays of the Nazi regime. This film is valuable as a reminder both of the nature of these closed countries, and the kinship we all have as human beings.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Nick L.

    It's ridiculous watching a society with as many needs as North Korea devote such time, energy and money to their annual games. That said, the games are spectacular. Watching that many people work in complete synchronization is spectacular. The card displays in the stands were my favorite.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 12 Reviews
       

      Quick Links

      Email Exclusives

      Find Us Online: BLOCKBUSTER Blog - BLOCKBUSTER Widgets - BLOCKBUSTER RSS FEED - BLOCKBUSTER Facebook Page - BLOCKBUSTER Twitter Page - BLOCKBUSTER Wiki

      FIND MOVIES

      ALL MOVIES

      Popular | # | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

      ALL ACTORS AND DIRECTORS

      Popular | # | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

      BLOCKBUSTER CORPORATE

       

      BLOCKBUSTER name, design and related marks are trademarks of Blockbuster L.L.C. © 2012 Blockbuster L.L.C. All rights reserved.

      Portions of Content Provided by Rovi Corporation. © 2012 Rovi Corporation.