The Lovers and the Despot

Sep 22, 2016

1h 38m

★ 6.9

They were kidnapped by their biggest fan

Overview

Hong Kong, 1978. South Korean actress Choi Eun-hee is kidnapped by North Korean operatives following orders from dictator Kim Jong-il.

Genres

Documentary

History

Production Companies

Hellflower Films

Tigerlily Films

Pumpernickel Films

Submarine

The Lovers and the Despot Trailers

Cast

Shin Sang-ok

Paul Courtenay Hyu

Choi Eun-hee

Yuna Shin

Self - Actress / Various Roles

Choi Eun-hee

Self - US Intelligence Officer

Michael Yi

Self - Choi and Shin's Son

Shin Jeong-kyun

Self - Choi and Shin's Daughter

Shin Myung-yim

Self - Choi's Brother

Choi Kyung-ok

Self - RHK Police Inspector (1975-79)

Iain T. A. Hall

Self - Film Critic

Pierre Rissient

Self - Filmmaker

Lee Jang-ho

Self - US SD Officer (1984-86)

David Straub

Self - Kim's Former Court Poet

Jang Jin-sun

Florian Hartung and Dirk Pohlmann have reconstructed a previously unknown dimension of the collaboration between Nazis and the CIA in the Cold War. Drawing upon recently released documents, the film exposes for the first time a perfidious, worldwide net that reaches deep into the power structures of the Federal Republic of Germany. Lending their authority to the fact-finders’ mission are high-ranking statesmen, journalists and historians.

6.5

Portugal: Carnations Against Dictatorship

Apr 16, 2024

In Portugal, during the night of April 24-25, 1974, a peaceful uprising put an end to the last government of the Estado Novo, the authoritarian regime established in 1933 by dictator António de Oliveira Salazar (1889-1970), paving the way for full democracy: a chronicle of the Carnation Revolution.

8.1

Billy Elliot: The Musical Live

Sep 28, 2014

In County Durham, England, 1984, a talented young dancer, Billy Elliot, stumbles out of the boxing ring and onto the ballet floor. He faces many trials and triumphs as he strives to conquer his family’s set ways, inner conflict, and standing on his toes in a musical that questions masculinity, gender norms and conformity.

7.2

Utøya: July 22

Mar 9, 2018

A teenage girl fights for survival and to locate her young sister during the 2011 terrorist attack at a political summer camp on the Norwegian island of Utøya.

7.3

King Kong: Monster and Myth

Nov 19, 2024

In 1933, Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack, two audacious and visionary directors, dared to create a motion picture that eclipsed everything seen until then: when King Kong was released, it was celebrated as an artistic and technical revolution and became the first myth created by the young cinematic art.

5.2

William the Conqueror

Apr 27, 2014

England, 11th century. William the Conqueror (ca. 1027-1087) wins the Battle of Hastings (1066), changing the shape of medieval Europe and the course of English history. An account of the life of the extraordinary Norman warrior who became king.

7.8

Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy

May 4, 2010

For decades, Freddy Krueger has slashed his way through the dreams of countless youngsters, scaring up over half a billion dollars at the box office across eight terrifying, spectacular films.

6.2

The Jodorowsky Constellation

Oct 7, 1994

This documentary depicts the filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky talking about his life, his loves, his career as a filmmaker, graphic novelist, and workshop leader, and his eccentricities including tarot reader and theatrical director during The Panic Movement. Directed by Louis Mouchet, La Constellation Jodorowsky includes a lengthy on-camera interview with Jodorowsky in Spanish with subtitles. Marcel Marceau, Fernando Arrabal, Peter Gabriel, Jean "Moebius" Giraud, and Jean Pierre Vignau make appearances discussing their various projects with the director. In addition to the interview and film clips, Mouchet features some bizarre footage from Jodorowsky’s absurdist plays in which topless women splattered with paint writhe around the stage in a theatrical production meant to represent The Panic Movement, i.e., an artistic expression in which reason cannot fully express the human experience.

6.8

Jean-Pierre Mocky, libre et sentimental

Feb 19, 2023

A journey into the mind of French actor and director Jean-Pierre Mocky (1929-2019), author of films both playful and profound, of an impressive richness.

8.0

The Devil's Share

Feb 16, 2018

Quebec, on the cusp of the 1960s. The province is on the brink of momentous change. Deftly selecting clips from nearly 200 films from the National Film Board of Canada archives, director Luc Bourdon reinterprets the historical record, offering us a new and distinctive perspective on the Quiet Revolution.

8.0

Black October

Jan 1, 2000

A documentary recounting the kidnappings of British Trade Commissioner James Cross and Quebec Vice-Premier & Minister of Labour Pierre Laporte by the FLQ on October 5, 1970 in Quebec.

No Image Available

0.0

Dadi's Family

Invalid Date

Dadi manages an extended family in Haryana, Northern India, where daughters-in-law face loneliness and unrealistic expectations. The film delves into family dynamics, highlighting Dadi's firm control amidst tensions. Social and economic shifts challenge traditional values, exemplified by Dadi's son marrying outside the village. Despite clinging to tradition, Dadi adapts to her children's modern aspirations. This narrative reflects the clash between generations and gender roles in 1980s rural India, offering insight into the evolving concept of family.

6.5

Enrique Herreros

Jun 10, 2011

The story of Enrique Herreros (1903-1977), cartoonist, advertiser, poster designer, talent manager, actor, producer and filmmaker, and the most daring of mountaineers; the man who, along with his companions from the so-called “other Generation of '27,” brought Hollywood to Madrid's Gran Vía, turning a grey and sinister post-war city into the capital of an incipient and ambitious cultural industry.

7.5

Ip Man 2

Apr 29, 2010

Having defeated the best fighters of the Imperial Japanese army in occupied Shanghai, Ip Man and his family settle in post-war Hong Kong. Struggling to make a living, Master Ip opens a kung fu school to bring his celebrated art of Wing Chun to the troubled youth of Hong Kong. His growing reputation soon brings challenges from powerful enemies, including pre-eminent Hung Gar master, Hung Quan.

6.5

1974, une partie de campagne

Feb 20, 2002

Following the 1974 French presidential campaign with Valéry Giscard d’Estaing.

9.0

Still Standing

Feb 11, 2023

Discover the untold story of Pinball and Arcade in Australia in this heart-warming, and at times heart-breaking, nostalgic journey through the golden era of gaming.

6.5

Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles

Dec 12, 2014

The extraordinary life of Orson Welles (1915-85), an enigma of Hollywood, an irreducible independent creator: a musical prodigy, an excellent painter, a master of theater and radio, a modern Shakespeare, a magician who was always searching for a new trick to surprise his audience, a romantic and legendary figure who lived only for cinema.

9.3

Arnold & Sly: Rivals, Friends, Icons

Apr 23, 2024

TMZ exclusively sits down with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone as they discuss for the first time how their once-fierce rivalry led to two Hollywood icons forever being friends and brothers in arms.

8.0

Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War

Feb 5, 2004

When two brothers are forced to fight in the Korean War, the elder decides to take the riskiest missions if it will help shield the younger from battle.

0.0

Charlie Chaplin: A Tramp's Life

May 10, 1998

A biographical documentary about the great British actor and director Charlie Chaplin (1889-1977), from rags to riches, from the slums of London to glory.