A State of Mind

A State of Mind, directed by Daniel Gordon and released in 2004, is an insightful and captivating documentary film that gives a rare perspective of life inside the enigmatic North Korea. The narrative revolves around two young gymnasts, Hyon Sun Pak and Song Yun Kim, chosen for their extraordinary talent to participate in North Korea's famous and intensely competitive Mass Games.

This event, held in Pyongyang every year, is the world's largest choreographed spectacle, involving up to 100,000 participants performing a synchronized display of gymnastics and dance. It is considered a great honor for North Korean children to be selected for these performances, showing loyalty to their country.

The film chronicles the rigorous training these young athletes undergo, emphasizing the perseverance, dedication, and skill required to perfect each move. These training sessions can last up to ten hours a day, every day, in the lead-up to the games. Through these intimately detailed scenes, viewers can observe the mechanics of their day-to-day experiences: their families, schools, and the broader social structure and conditions that inform their lives. It provides an intriguing look into specific characteristics of the North Korean lifestyle, such as the role of family, school, party loyalties, and the strong ideological narrative in the shaping of the girls' perceptions.

The cinematography is heart-clasping and reveal the depth of the characters and their growth amid the layers of preparation and the elaborate expectations of their society. It also presents some astounding views of Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, showing us what life looks like in one of the world's most opaque countries. Additionally, the filmmakers were granted unprecedented access to various aspects of North Korean society, which usually remains behind closed doors.

Director Daniel Gordon provides a unique insight into the socialist country's functioning, exposing the public to a side of North Korea they wouldn't typically see. With a non-invasive and observational style, the viewers are given an opportunity to engage in the intricate daily life and dreams of Hyon Sun and Song Yun, witnessing what it feels like to grow up in North Korea. Gordon's film also portrays the political aspects, such as the structured system of communication and the regular updates from their beloved 'General,' laying the ground for outsiders to comprehend the collective mentality.

These themes are further enriched by interviews with the gymnast's families and coaches, offering even more perspectives on the functioning of their society. Interjected are shots of typical school lessons, where the young girls are fed constant state propaganda narratives and lessons of loyalty to the regime. Meanwhile, at home, the girls' parents recount their personal histories and lives, reflecting the rigid state ideology, enabling the viewer to better understand the intersectionality between the individual, the family, and the state.

Interestingly, filming took place at a time when pervasive hunger had created a crisis in North Korea, affecting the world's perception of the country. However, the film doesn’t explicitly tackle these issues. Instead, it subtly evokes the disparities between the visible celebrations in their capital and the harsher reality faced by many of their citizens, forming a powerful subtext that runs throughout the narrative.

Daniel Gordon's A State of Mind challenges generalizations often made about North Korea. It compels viewers to see beyond the stereotype, inducing a sense of empathy and understanding for the individuals who live within the hermit kingdom. Through the eyes and stories of two aspiring gymnasts, audiences can witness the real-life aspirations and realities that weave together to form the multifaceted societal fabric of North Korea.

In conclusion, A State of Mind is a powerful, touching documentary that builds a humanizing bridge towards a commonly misunderstood and demonized nation. It brings attention to the way ordinary citizens lead their lives under an extraordinarily notorious regime, creating understanding and empathy through the depiction of shared human experiences. By concentrating on the aspirations and dedication of two young gymnasts, this film delivers a profound commentary on what it truly means to strive and dream under extraordinary circumstances.