Q: What was your overall role?
A: My overall role was producer,
executive producer as well as writer. Because of the sensitive
and precarious nature of the film, I had to be hands on in the
overall production, development and post while traveling
numerous times to North Korea.
Q: Did you always want to
be in the film Industry?
A: No, I've been a business man and
always appreciated movies since my childhood, but didn't think
that I would be pursuing a filmmaking tradition until this
opportunity to work with the DPRK film industry naturally
presented itself during my sixteen years of aid work there.
Q: Tell us how The Other
Side of the Mountain (TOSM) evolved.
This film has been a labor of love from
the beginning. I was actively involved in humanitarian work in
North Korea for over sixteen years helping the orphanages and
developing the agricultural sector when I realized a great need
and impact for a film for and from the people of North Korea to
bridge a love and understanding of the widely misconstrued or
unknown citizens of the country. So I began to write a script,
which took years of patience of rewriting and making compromises
to reach an agreement with the North Korean ministry of culture
to come to a mutually satisfying script. And with the
collaboration of their film group, the wonderful actors and
actresses, musicians, director and all the other local crew and
staff involved in making the film, it came to be a truly unique
and meaningful experience as well as a film with all our
collective hearts and souls poured into it.
Q: Did you have any
unusual difficulties during filming?
Aside from the traditional difficulties
of making a movie and with all the problems and things that can
go wrong, add to it that this was my first film, on top of
working with North Korea's film group from the U.S., the lack of
technology and open communication with the country, countless
flights that take days just to get there, and to top it off
hours and days of flight delays and being stuck in the hotels
there, this film was a feat to just get it completed!
Q: Will winning awards
help promote the film? How so?
Yes, it would help raise awareness on our
cause, bring attention to the film and most importantly, get
more people to watch the film.
Q: How long did it take to
make the film?
The film took over eight years to finish
from the screenwriting phase to the final edit. It took such a
long time due to the nature of the international production and
going back and forth between the countries with delayed
communication, story compromises and production setbacks,
technical delays, and scheduling. Everything needs to be
approved and clear to be scrutinized carefully and that took a
vast amount of time, energy and patience.
Q: How much money did it
cost?
I provided new
and old equipment (camera, sound, lighting, etc.) and
passion so it's hard to say exactly how much value to
price it.
Q: Where
were the locations?
The film was shot entirely in North Korea
in the cities of Pyongyang, Gaesung, Shiniju and other small,
rural mountain towns in the surrounding areas. We did some post
production work in China due to limited resources to finish and
color the film.
Q: To
what audience is TOSM suited?
Though it gets much support with the
older Korean population and older generations who know more
about the history of the Korean war or those interested in North
Korea, the film has resonated with a wide range of audiences and
youth as a particular love story. Originally, the film was made
for the North and South Korean people to further the cause of
union with this story of painstaking love, since Korea is still
divided and millions still suffer from this separation and not
being able to reunite with their families and loved ones. So
it's been popular and a success in North Korea, but has reached
many audiences in the U.S. and other countries because of its
truly special story behind the film as well the peace mission
behind it all.
Q: Any
interest yet from distributors?
We have not yet reached out to
distributors.
Q: What
was it like working with various actors? How did you go
about choosing your actors?
The casting process was interesting
because the system in North Korea is very different. For our
auditions, we had the top actors come in for each role to cast
them. Everyone was so excited, humbled and happy to be
there. There were numerous times when I had to change directors,
actors, and cinematographers during the course of production.
All the actors, crew and staff receive
the same rations of food and a small amount of money from the
government
so there is no individual payment or
contracts. All our actors were cast in this way in North Korea
with North Korean actors. They were wonderful to work with and
have so much heart and love. It was a pleasure to work with such
nice people.
Q: What
has the feedback been so far?
As mentioned above, the film has been
well received and people have responded to it very favorably.
There have been many people from the audience who were touched
by the film and have come up to me crying after the screening to
share their connections with the film, which is the best thing a
film can do! Every festival screening has been sold out so far
and I believe that is a good indication of the audience's
appreciation of the film.
Q: Are
you working on any new projects?
No, not at the moment. For now, I'm
trying to focus on this project and seeing it through to many
more festivals and trying to organize public screenings to share
with more people.
Q: Tell
us about your own background. Where you were born? Where did
you study film? What was your first movie? What was your
previous job? Are you a full-time filmmaker?
I was born in North Korea and experienced
the end of World War II in 1945 and then was taken to the South
as a refugee when I was a child in 1950. I immigrated to the
U.S. as an exchange student and earned a B.S.M.E. degree in 1965
at the University of Missouri and have been a business man
since. I am not a filmmaker nor from a film background. I've
been able to make this film because it was a passion project. I
am still currently overseeing and operating my own business in
manufacturing with 500 employees and three manufacturing
locations in US and China.
Q: what
was your first award? And how did you feel at that time?
It was the honorary Courage Award from
the Disorient Film Festival in Oregon. It was gratifying to be
acknowledged and given a special regard for our efforts.
Q: What
was the best part of the project?
The best part about this project is
knowing that our collective efforts of everyone involved and
those who believe in its cause has already produced a great
result- first in its making and being able to complete it, and
even more that it is a film that has been affecting the hearts
of people, especially in the North to encourage reunification
and love for one country. It has also brought more interest and
awareness around the world and in the U.S. which gives me a
great satisfying and hopeful feeling.
Q: What
was the most challenging?
One of the most challenging things was
that many elements that are so accessible for filmmaking here is
not available in the DPRK. Things such as aging make up, sync
sound technology, high quality cameras, and digital post
production facilities- it is bare bones, so in each department
and process, we would have to order and ship a long way through
China to deliver the products to use for the film to North Korea
from the U.S. Each shipment consisted of a lot of work and hours
and it would take weeks to arrives. Having such limited options
made the project delay on many turns and we had to hold
production several times until we could secure these things.
Q: Are
you pleased with the overall outcome?
Yes, I'm proud to have a result of such a
collaboration and more so that it is a classic love story that
is true and close to my heart.
Q: What
are your hopes and dreams for the film?
It's for the reunion of the millions of
separated families and the reunification of one Korea. I
dream that this film will set a small fire in the hearts of our
generation to yearn and strive for the peace on earth.
Q: What
makes you a filmmaker?
My interest in wellbeing of mankind and
to fulfill my commitment to the social responsibility; to
deliver these issues and awareness to spread peace.
Q: Why
is this subject important to you?
Because millions of families are still
separated and suffering. It's a personal story that I relate to
deeply because of my childhood and by telling this story, it
sends our core message of love about the biggest human tragedy
that still persists.
Q: Does
this film send the message you intended?
Yes. Most importantly, it addresses the
idea of eternal, everlasting love.
Q: Do
most people just turn a blind eye when they hear of these
issues?
I think it's hard for people to actively
engage in the situation and conflict about North Korea since it
is so political, but I do wish more was being done to resolve or
aid the people in that country because it is one of the most
urgent human rights crisis today.
Q: Why the
title?
The Other Side of the Mountain is the
other side of the country of Korea. Since it is divided into
North and South by the 38th parallel, the other side of the
mountain is where the characters long to be to be with each
other. It seems close enough but they are actually mountains
away.
Q:
Advice to others who might like to follow in your footsteps?
Based on my story, I think the biggest
lesson a young filmmaker could learn from my experience is
perseverance. This project took many years to complete- almost a
decade with many obstacles, but even though there were
frustrations along the way, I was focused on the goal and did
not give up. Sometimes when you hit road blocks, you just have
to keep going. Have an honorable purpose and a passion to
succeed, and you will reach and achieve your goal.
Q: is
there anything in the past happened to you, that make you
make this movie? If, yes, what is this?
When I was driving home one rainy day
after work, I heard a shocking news program on KQED reporting
about the millions of children who were dying of starvation in
North Korea. It deeply affected me that so many innocent
children and people were suffering and dying needlessly while we
have such an abundance in the U.S. So I knew I had to do
something about it to reach out and help. That is how I got
involved with the orphanages and humanitarian work there, which
later got me involved in developing this film.
Q: Is
this a film that young people, college or high school
students could benefit from?
Yes, absolutely. Not only is it an
educational film about North Korea and the Korean War, it is
also a love story that students can enjoy.
Q: Do
you personally know anyone who inspires the movie?
Yes, two ladies: my mother and my wife.
Q: Has
the film won any other awards?
The film won the honorary Courage Award
at the Disorient Film Festival in 2013. It was a special
distinction that the festival does not normally give.