It was directed and produced by British filmmakers Daniel Gordon and Nicholas Bonner, and was shown at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. Until then, however, we have Gordon's engaging if overwrought effort to tide us over. She undertook research trips to get the support of the community, the medical organisations and the University of Tasmania. Of the three soldiers who followed our protagonist, only oneCharles Jenkinsis still alive, and he defected in between interviews with Dresnok. Crossing the Line tells the story of the last American defector in North Korea, James Joseph Dresnok. Aug. 10, 2007. If you would rather just drop us an email please send to Simon@koryogroup.com Dresnok spoke exclusively to the filmmakers about his childhood, his desertion, his life in a country completely foreign and quite hostile to his own, his fellow defectors, and his wife and children.[1]. CROSSING THE LINE follows the journeys of two young medical students, Amy and Paul, who leave their safe middle class homes and university behind to be thrust into the harsh reality of everyday life on Mornington Island. All Rights Reserved. Crossing the line should remind medical educators to harness, rather than suppress, the welling energies of youth to cross the line. Over a fifteen-month window, the filmmakers made multiple trips to North Korea for shooting. There are stories of friendships made and broken, betrayals, frustrations, and the agents ultimate dedication to a cause to make the world a safer place.This series explores what happens to police officers permitted to take drugs and live long-term, elaborate lies in order to catch criminals. Many viewers might be salivating to see more scenes of Pyongyang, but the plot dictates that a lot of time be spent on faces talking to the camera. This style represents a step down for Gordon, whose camera in A State of Mind was patient and unobtrusive. Better ways than those shown in this video would combine the wisdom of the elders with the idealistic energies of youth. It also portrays the unpredictable responses when mainstream health professionals 'cross the line' and enter Aboriginal communities for the first time. When two young non-Indigenous medical students go to work in a remote Aboriginal community their professional precepts and personal ideas are deeply challenged. Towards the end of Crossing the Line, a North Korean doctor discloses to the BBC that Dresnok is in failing health, mainly due to heavy drinking and smoking. Should he? No-one knew why they did it. email orders@roninfilms.com.au. Unpacked 108K subscribers The UK version of the critically acclaimed documentary "Crossing The Line" - this powerful 30-minute film opens the door on anti-Israel activity at British. The film is about a former U.S. Army soldier, James J. Dresnok, who defected to North Korea on 15 August 1962. Crossing the Line lacks the clean through-line that A State of Mind was born with, but its sprawl is part of its appeal. These soldiers were married to women who were also of different nationalities, but how these women arrived in Pyongyang (or were made to arrive) is never clear. Publication of your online response is The video examines whether this advice is realistic and how adequately prepared they are for this culturally shocking experience. CROSSING THE LINE is the third feature length documentary by VeryMuchSo Productions, the team that produced the RTS award-winning the game of their lives (four awards in total plus two Grierson nominations, one British Independent Film Awards nomination) and the acclaimed a state of mind (broadcast UK June 7th 2004 and . The film elicits a wide range of responses about the thorny issues of 'crossing the line' in a medical professional sense. CROSSING THE LINE follows the journeys of two young medical students, Amy and Paul, who leave their safe middle class homes and university behind to be thrust into the harsh reality of everyday life on Mornington Island. present, BBC, E Pictures, Koryo Tours, IFG2, A tale of struggle and success, the beauty of sport crossing cultural barriers. I don't know. Crossing the line [video recording]. From the director of A STATE OF MIND. Crew Director Kaye Harrison Writers Kaye Harrison Producer Rod Freedman Kaye Harrison Fisherman: [pause] You don't seem to enjoy fishing. East Courtyard, By what name was Crossing the Line (2006) officially released in Canada in English? A State of Mind was selected for competition at Tribeca Film Festival and officially selected to Pusan International Film Festival, Sheffield International Documentary Festival and to International Documentary Festival Amsterdam. [5][6][7][8], Robert Willoughby The Bradt Travel Guide: North Korea 2008, page 39 "In a further twist, they found film fame with roles in DPRK films vilifying the US, with Dresnok typecast as an evil American and making firm friends with several North Korean film stars who appear in Crossing the Line and discussed the ", Justin Corfield, Historical Dictionary of Pyongyang 2013, page 43 "After Doina died of lung cancer, Dresnok married the daughter of a Togolese diplomat and a North Korean woman, and had a son. He uses Korean as his daily language. Like most Australians, they have never been exposed to life in a remote Indigenous community. Video available from Ronin Films, phone (02) 62480851or Amy McCormack (medical student) and Louise Roughsey, Silhouette of youth on street (photo: Paul Joffe), Hector Thomas and Paul Joffe (medical student). After a weeks briefing in Mt Isa, the flight to Mornington Island teleports them to another world, where the health and social needs of the Indigen-ous people are vast and often unmet. Over the course of its ninety-minute runtime, Crossing the Line delves into the psyches of prisoners of war, the act of defection, and the process of assimilating into a society that prides itself on its homogeneity. For nearly 40 years their life was. Third party web links are provided for your convenience only. 1h 34m. Project-specific support provided by Screen Australia's development programs since the agency's inception in July 2008. CROSSING THE LINE follows the journeys of two young medical students, Amy and Paul, who leave their safe middle class homes and university behind to be thrust into the harsh reality of everyday life on Mornington Island. . Chaoyang District, At the same time, for Aboriginal communities to cross the line puts their cultural identity at risk. Released in 2008, Gordon's Crossing the Line addresses the same subject from a very different point of view: that of one James Joseph Dresnok, a U.S. Army private who, while stationed in the Demilitarized Zone that separates that country from its neighbor to the south in 1962, abruptly decided to defect. of publication, Information for librarians and institutions. He had little choice but go to the army when after a first stint in West Germany, he was sent over to the most dangerous border in the world, the DMZ. In making the film, the filmmakers had astonishing access to Dresnok, his daily life in North Korea, his and the other defector families, and even the North Korean soldier who captured him in 1962.Thesesights have never been seen before to anyone outside North Korea, and even to most North Koreans. It reminds us that there are still many stories to be told about North Korea, and that any life inside this Hermit Kingdom is not as self-contained as we might assume. A State of Mind occasionally relied on the voyeuristic pleasure derived from glimpses of everyday life in Pyongyang. Throughout their 8-week placement in this remote Indigenous community, Amy and Paul move beyond their professional roles to make personal connections with some of the locals. A British documentary about US Army defector James Dresnok currently living in North Korea after having defected during the 60s. He intervenes. It was directed and produced by British filmmakers Daniel Gordon and Nicholas Bonner, and was shown at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. Request an update here. Similarly. Crossing the Line is the final installment in director Daniel Gordon's trilogy of films shot inside North Korea. This is his story.VeryMuchSo Production and Koryo Tours in conjuction with Passion Pictures, BBC4 and ARTE. Undercover, a three part docume. These are tales from the criminal underworld as told by the people who lived it and living a lie among dangerous criminals is not for the faint-hearted!Undercover cops have provided material for countless movies and TV dramas, and their real stories are just as gripping. Includes Environmental And Societal Disasters And Speculative Future Doomsday, Includes Space And Technology Of The Past, Includes USA, Canada, Europe, And Australia History Channels And Military Channel, Includes Discovery Science and Investigation Discovery Channels, Includes Channel 4, 5, UKTV, ITV, and Sky TV, Includes Animal Planet, TLC, A&E, ABC, CBS, NBC, Includes Countries Currently & Formerly In The Commonwealth, Includes Leaders In Industry, Society, Technology, Arts, And Politics, Includes Conflicts Involving Predecessor States, Includes 18th & 19th Century Indian Wars, Citizen Rebellions, War of 1812, Foreign Wars & Conflicts of the 19th 21st Century. The first Western interview with Comrade Joe, James Joseph Dresnok, an American soldier who defected to North Korea in 1962 and has embraced life in the secret state ever since. General Rules on Crossing the Line a. The Mt Isa supervisors, in their weekly tele-conference with Amy and Paul, perceive that Paul has crossed the line and that suicide is an issue he should not touch on. Secondly. Each man left his Southern border post in the demilitarised zone the DMZ, a 2.5 mile wide patch of land that splits the Korean peninsula in half and is the most heavily fortified area on earth, packed with 2.5m land minesand walked into an alien world. Conceptually, Crossing the Line is a huge jump from Gordon's previous North Korean works. The series follows individuals who seek abortion services and the heroes who help along the way. To the filmmakers' credit, they don't shy away from this. The existence of an American defector living in the . A heartwarming story of trying to make the impossible possible. He worked for the Korean Peoples Army as an English teacher, learned the language and the system. This became a major international scandal at the time, its tentacles even reaching out to ensnare then-President George Bush and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi. CROSSING THE LINE is now available on DVDFind out more about Koryo Tours on our website and social media:Website | https://koryogroup.com/Blog | https://koryogroup.com/blogFacebook | https://www.facebook.com/koryotours/Instagram | koryotours (https://www.instagram.com/koryotours)Twitter | @koryotours (https://twitter.com/KoryoTours) Like most Australians, they have never been exposed to li. His local Aboriginal mentor explains how her son shot himself and how important she considers early intervention to be. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Kaye Harrison (director). She weeps with the people, wrestling with the meaning of her Christian faith as she listens to stories of missionaries who removed children from their families and disciplined the people. Its a story of defection, kidnap, love, and political intrigue, all set and captured in the most secret and inaccessible country on earth: North Korea. Project-specific support provided by Screen Australia's production investment programs since the agency's inception in July 2008. CROSSING THE LINE is a significant film in my career as a producer. Aesthetically, however, Crossing the Line is busy in its graphics and editingtoo much so at timesand seems to have been made with television syndication in mind. Your Name (required) Amy and Paul come across as delightful young people. At one time, there were four Americans living in North Korea. Classification: Exempt - Ronin Recommends: G, Proceed with ordering this titleand for pricing information . The highest compliment I can pay Crossing the Line is that it serves as a vital journal of an important time in recent North Korean affairsand that the production of this documentary would make for a highly intriguing feature film one day. Since 1993, No. We see Dresnok's home in Richmond, Virginia, as well as a fellow defector's reunion with his wife in Indonesia. The spent cartridges of bright ideas litter the ground. Undercover, a three part documentary series, explores the human cost of the controversial New Zealand Police Undercover Programme, as told by former agents. Throughout their eight-week placement in this remote Read all. Cinequanon and Dongsoong Art Center, Executive Producers: He is a key part of the story but as much of it is now in the public domain, it is Dresnok who is the driving force of the film. [2][3][4], The movie had mostly positive reception. If ordering please let us know the SET or PORTRAIT number and size you require, thank you ***This series and episode is under license from TVF. Project-specific support provided through Screen Australia's P&A Program only. One of four American defectors who crossed over to the hard line communist North during the 1960s, Dresnok has lived in the North Korean capital Pyongyang ever since, and has not been seen by the outside world for 44 years. Directed by Daniel Gordon. A "Girl Power" Film. Crossing the Line is the final installment in director Daniel Gordon's trilogy of films shot inside North Korea. At the height of the Cold War, this unlikely band of brothers crossed the most heavily fortified area on earth and defected to DPRK. It is well known that North Korea would abduct citizens of other countries and force them to start families inside the country. Without seeming to consult the community, Paul and Amys supervisors in Mt Isa pull them out for debriefing a week early almost before they can say goodbye to the people they have come to know and begun to love because they have become too involved. He became a coveted star of the North Korean propaganda machine, and found fame acting in films, typecast as an evil American. Fisherman: If you only have sons, they must get into a lot of mischief. Email me when people comment on this article, Online responses are no longer available. Where does the responsibility for the drug abuse and psychological trauma among undercover agents lie? It was first screened in 2007 on the BBC. Crossing The Line is the tragic yet uplifting story of athletics prodigy Danny Harris, and his battles with his demons on and off the track. Brought to you by the team behind the #1 true-crime podcast franchise Paper Ghosts, Crossing the Line with M. William Phelps is an ongoing, weekly podcast diving deeply into murder, missing people and unsolved, cold case cases rarely covered. Kaye Harrison wrote, directed and co-produced the video for ABC-TV, which screened it earlier this year in two parts on the Indigenous program Message stick. CROSSING THE LINE (CTLpod) is a verite' style audio documentary series telling stories from the frontlines in the fight for reproductive freedom. Jump into our community to see how people react to our episodes, like and share the content.Link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFkFUrV28yy4kpg9b6LNhuQ/playlists#CrimeDownUnderFullDocumentary #YouTubeFreeInvestigativeSeries #DocuSeries It's very gratifying to know that the film encourages discussion and debate about such complex issues, makes me feel like I've done my job! In 1962, the 20 year old PFC James Dresnok was serving in the demilitarised zone between North Korea and South Korea when he just headed across in the northern side of the border. However, by 2006when this film was in productionglobal awareness of the North had increased. Fisherman: Where does the twenty-two year old go? In addition, after that Crossing the Line. Firstly. Washington, DC 20036 For nearly 40 years their life was hidden from the outside world.Not even the US government knew their fate. Crossing The Line documentary: The story of Australia v South Africa and the ball-tampering scandal Watch the show at 10pm, Thursday on Sky Sports Cricket, with contributions from Shane. Moreover the movie launched, because it is a success. Like most Australians, they have never been exposed to li 'Crossing the Line' follows the journeys of two young medical students, Amy and Paul, who leave their safe middle class homes and university behind to be thrust into the harsh reality of everyday life on Mornington Island. Certainly it must be born of Aboriginal culture. Michael Palin travels to DPRK on the most revealing journey of my life". Jenkins now lives in Japan with his wife and daughters. My motivation for making the documentary CROSSING THE LINE was a desire to make the issues surrounding Indigenous health accessible to a broad mainstream audience. They're like cats and dogs! Like most Australians, they have never been exposed to life in a remote Indigenous community. Crossing the Line: Directed by Daniel Gordon. Eight short weeks is all they have, and their instructors have urged them to maintain their professional stance and distance, and not to cross the line. Only one remains in DPRK. Distinctive storytelling for the big screen, Ambition, creativity, audience engagement, Quality, cultural value, innovation, diversity, Opportunities for First Nations storytellers, Insights into challenges facing the industry, International awards for Australian projects and people, Australian screenings at international festivals, International Pitching Events and Talent Labs, International Marketing Support: Festivals and awards, All Screen Australia production applications, National Film and Sound Archive of Australia. Your support ensures great journalism and education on underreported and systemic global issues, 1779 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Is this your listing? The eccentricities associated with its leaders, the Kim dynasty, and the hardline communism they've forced upon the country also make audience immersion a fait accompli. However. At the height of the Cold War, this unlikely band of brothers crossed the most heavily fortified area on earth and defected to DPRK. The regime had immense hopes for their mixed-race babies, such as training them to be spies. Request an update here. Awakening the minds and sensitivities of future doctors to the needs and wishes of Aboriginal people makes sense if there is to be participation of each in the others future. All rights reserved****Sometimes youve got to join them to beat them. Beijing, China contact@pulitzercenter.org, Humanizing the Hermit Kingdom: Leisure in North Korea, Stories by Campus Consortium Reporting Fellows, Deep Dives: Ocean and Fisheries Reporting, Underreported Stories in Sub-Saharan Africa, Science Misinformation: Journalism in the Age of Truth Decay, Bringing Stories Home: Local Reporting Grants, COVID-19, Vaccines, and Global Health Inequities, OPPORTUNITIES FOR CAMPUS CONSORTIUM MEMBERS, In North Korea, an International Film Festival Where Self-Reliance Is the Star, Pizzas, Pony Rides and Dolphin Shows: Balms for North Koreas Elite. Crossing the Line, which was narrated by actor Christian Slater, was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the festival. subject to the Medical Journal of Australia's editorial discretion. Beyond straight-up murder stories, investigative journalist and host M. William Phelps . Like most Australians, they have never been exposed to life in a remote Indigenous community. Dan Gordon (Director/Producer) Nicholas Bonner (Co-Producer). 'Crossing' Reveals Untold N. Korea Story, Last US defector in North Korea, BBC, 23 January 2007, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Crossing_the_Line_(2006_film)&oldid=1127485026, This page was last edited on 15 December 2022, at 00:20. Can testimony from these cops hold up in court? For some people around the country, January 26 or Australia Day is an opportunity to have a day off of work, hit up the beach, or a friend's BBQ and drink to excess. document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); If you would rather just drop us an email please send to Simon@koryogroup.com, If ordering please let us know the SET or PORTRAIT number and size you require, thank you. A British documentary about US Army defector James Dresnok currently living in North Korea after having defected during the 60s. His story broke open in September 2002 when it was reported that one of the kidnapped Japanese nationals, Hitomi Soga, had married an American defector. In an ideal world where there is no Indigenous disadvantage with respect to access to health care, life expectancy, my documentary would no longer be regarded as relevant. Crossing the Line (Korean: , A Blue-Eyed Pyongyang Citizen in North Korea) is a 2006 British documentary film by Daniel Gordon and Nicholas Bonner. Going to the cinema. Not Rated. However, it did. Add to that the truly unique saga of Dresnok and you have a potent cocktail. Dresnok keeps talking about three other soldiers who defected after him, and their lives in North Korea. Your Email (required) There is a need for new thinking. +86 10 6416 7544 Dresnok seemed hurt by Jenkins' allegations of physical abuse by Dresnok and the North Korean regime and angrily denied them. Australia remains stuck in a trench in relation to Aboriginal health. We hear about Dresnok's deeply scarring time in the fifties after dropping out of high school, the shock he felt in the early sixties when new to Korean society, and his health problems after the turn of the century. Teaching English at Pyongyang University of Foreign Studies, he was the subject of the film Crossing the Line ", Last edited on 15 December 2022, at 00:20. The world knows of only one of these men: Charles Robert Jenkins. The film was the winner of the prize for Best Documentary about Social and Political Issues at the 2005 ATOM (Australian Teachers of Media) Awards . 56mins. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Captured by the North Koreans, Dresnok became the first of several American GI's to "defect" to the communist North and went on to be enormous propaganda tools to the regime of the time. (123) 7.4 1 h 30 min 2007 7+. North Korea as a setting offers artists so much enigma and drama because the country itself is larger than life. In the 1960s, at the height of the Cold War, four US soldiers defected to North Korea. BEST DOCUMENTARY - Social and Political Issues - 2005 ATOM Awards (Australian Teachers of Media). He is one of only six American soldiers ever to have voluntarily turned themselves over to the Communist regime after the Korean War, and, today, the last one remaining inside. CROSSING THE LINE continues to play a role in raising awareness amongst engaged students and health professionals.