Expired January 30, 2023 6:55 AM
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A suspenseful look at the lengths people will go to gain freedom, Beyond Utopia follows various individuals as they attempt to flee North Korea, one of the most oppressive places on Earth, a land they grew up believing was a paradise. At the film’s core are a mother desperate to reunite with the child she was forced to leave behind, a family of five — including small children and an elderly grandmother — embarking on a treacherous journey across the Yalu River and into the hostile mountains of China, and a man of God on a mission to help these desperate souls. Leaving their homeland is fraught with danger — severe punishment if caught and possibly even execution — as well as potential exploitation by unscrupulous brokers. Family members who remain behind also may face retribution. Yet these individuals are driven to take the risk.

Gripping, visceral, and urgent, Madeleine Gavin’s film embeds the viewer with these family members as they attempt their perilous escape, palpably conveying life-or-death stakes. The result is a singular, illuminating, and unforgettable experience.

  • Year
    2022
  • Runtime
    115 minutes
  • Language
    English
  • Country
    United States
  • Director
    Madeleine Gavin
  • Producer
    Jana Edelbaum,Rachel Cohen,Sue Mi Terry
  • Executive Producer
    Sharon Chang,Hyeonseo Lee,Hannah Song,Michael Y. Chow,Sue Turley,Victoria Steventon,Cristina Ljundberg,Megan Gelstein,Nina & David Fialkow
  • Co-Producer
    Janna Devinsky,Daewon Choi
  • Editor
    Madeleine Gavin
  • Music
    Adam Taylor,Taylor Page