They are affluent and idealistic. Extremely moving yet unsentimental, this film offers a rare insight into the practical realities of providing Western medical services to Indigenous communities and illustrates ways in which engagement can contribute to an improvement in the crisis in Aboriginal health today. Project-specific support provided through Screen Australia's P&A Program only. "IT MAKE FOR REMARKABLE, RIVETING VIEWING AND GIVES A RARE AND UNSENTIMENTAL INSIGHT INTO ONE OF AUSTRALIA'S REMOTE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES. Directed by Daniel Gordon. Their answers and the stories they tell will shock, surprise and inspire. Subscribe to get more Dark Crime content and hit the notification bell to see the freshly uploaded content. James Dresnok: Oh, don't even talk about it. 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) If medical students are to go in at the deep end at the Top End, there needs to be strong support from a partnership of medical educators and the communities involved. We already have a niggling feeling that not everything Dresnok says is to be trustedwatch how he squirms and evades talking about the background of his first, supposedly Romanian wife inside North Koreabut the extent of how unreliable he is as a narrator is always up in the air. Your Email (required) Story Crossing the line is a slight (sometimes great) shock to the audience, so only use it when this is your aim. All rights reserved****Sometimes youve got to join them to beat them. He worked for the Korean Peoples Army as an English teacher, learned the language and the system. To the filmmakers' credit, they don't shy away from this. A heartwarming story of trying to make the impossible possible. Certainly it must be born of Aboriginal culture. A British documentary about US Army defector James Dresnok currently living in North Korea after having defected during the 60s. Like most Australians, they have never been exposed to life in a remote Indigenous community. (Its first public, non-festival screening was on BBC.) If not this is just to pass the time. Crossing the Line 2004 Documentary | 56mins | Completed When two young non-Indigenous medical students go to work in a remote Aboriginal community their professional precepts and personal ideas are deeply challenged. However. All rights reserved****Sometimes you've got to join them to beat them. [Dresnok and a friend converse while fishing]. General Rules on Crossing the Line a. c. 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. It would address reculturation and the rejuvenation of Aboriginal identities. 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. In 1962 a U.S. solider sent to guard the peace in South Korea undertook an extraordinary journey, at the height of the Cold War he deserted his unit and walked across the most heavily fortified area on Earth and defected to an alien communist state, North Korea. Should he? Kaye impressed me with her understanding of the protocols of approaching the community for permission to film in a serious and sensitive way. He is further criticised for interviewing community members without a health professional being present to supervise him and without ethical clearance. Add to that the truly unique saga of Dresnok and you have a potent cocktail. However, these complaints are only worth raising because there is enough in the film that's riveting and memorable to make up for them. Going to the cinema. He became a coveted star of the North Korean propaganda machine, and found fame acting in films, typecast as an evil American. Please refer to our, Statistics, epidemiology and research design, Statistics,epidemiology and research design, View this article on Wiley Online Library, Conditions 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. Publication of your online response is Third party web links are provided for your convenience only. Fisherman: Where does the twenty-two year old go? (123) 7.4 1 h 30 min 2007 7+. Dresnok remains in North Korea and lives with his family in the capital city, Pyongyang, and has not had contact with outsiders since his defection in 1962. Amy attends a church service at a time when many funerals are being held for young men. Films. Bridging the Gap in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander life expectancy remains a key issue across Australia. He has now lived in North Korea twice as long as he has in America. Given the emphasis on social capital, mutuality and reciprocity in Aboriginal culture, building on that may be the way forward. The film centred on Dresnok's history, highlighting his unhappiness in America, and particularly his desertion from the United States Army in 1962 to the DPRK. Includes investments, loans and grants. At the height of the Cold War, this unlikely band of brothers crossed the most heavily fortified area on earth and defected to DPRK. subject to the Medical Journal of Australia's editorial discretion. 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. He has now lived for 44 years in Pyongyang, capital city of North Korea, one of the most deeply anti-American societies in the world. If ordering please let us know the SET or PORTRAIT number and size you require, thank you Jenkins now lives in Japan with his wife and daughters. [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. 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. 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. 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. Until then I am hopeful the documentary continues to make a valuable educational contribution. Not Rated. 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. 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. [2][3][4], The movie had mostly positive reception. present, BBC, E Pictures, Koryo Tours, IFG2, Passion Pictures For nearly 40 years their life was. The director and cinematographer, Kaye Harrison, approached me with the idea of following two non-indigenous medical students on a work placement to the remote community of Mornington island, where they would meet Aboriginal people for the first time and experience some of the complexities of Indigenous health issues. Crossing the Line, which was narrated by actor Christian Slater, was nominated for the Grand Jury . Now, the American defector's astonishing story is being told for the first time in a documentary called Crossing The Line. 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. 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. Read all Director Kaye Harrison Writer Kaye Harrison Stars 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. Please help us to simplify your shopping experience by customising your user settings here: Due to contractual obligations, some films may not be available in your territory. Dresnok is shown with fellow defectors, including Charles Robert Jenkins, who returned to Japan to be with his wife, Hitomi Soga (a victim of kidnapping by the North Koreans), while filming was taking place. She also found two young medical students prepared to participate in the film. 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. accepted. While The Game of Their Lives and A State of Mind were sports documentaries, Crossing the Line narrates the tale of James Joseph Dresnok, an American soldier who defected to the North in 1962 while stationed at the . The film is about a former U.S. Army soldier, James J. Dresnok, who defected to North Korea on 15 August 1962. Like most Australians, they have never been exposed to life in a remote Indigenous community. Since 1993, No. For instance. His local Aboriginal mentor explains how her son shot himself and how important she considers early intervention to be. BEST DOCUMENTARY - Social and Political Issues - 2005 ATOM Awards (Australian Teachers of Media). '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. 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 Two Aboriginal colleagues watched the video. The video examines whether this advice is realistic and how adequately prepared they are for this culturally shocking experience. document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Anna Broinowski, goes to North Korea to meet the masters of propaganda filmmaking. In addition, after that Crossing the Line. The regime had immense hopes for their mixed-race babies, such as training them to be spies. Beijing, China He uses Korean as his daily language. The narrative tours the globe and spans decades. 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! Like most Australians, they have never been exposed to life in a remote Indigenous community. b. Cinequanon and Dongsoong Art Center, Executive Producers: North Korea: Crossing The Line. About The Documentary. Dan Gordon (Director/Producer) Nicholas Bonner (Co-Producer). 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. Secondly. 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 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 chosen as Pick of the Day in every broadsheet) the story of two North Korean gymnasts as they prepare a Mass Games celebration. Can testimony from these cops hold up in court? Therefore. Where does the responsibility for the drug abuse and psychological trauma among undercover agents lie? He intervenes. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Chaoyang District, 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. Subject Amy McCormack (medical student) and Louise Roughsey, Silhouette of youth on street (photo: Paul Joffe), Hector Thomas and Paul Joffe (medical student). 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. . Screen Australia is not responsible for and does not endorse any Third Party Sites' use, effect or content or any associated organisation, product or service on the third party site. 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. 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. 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. It was directed and produced by British filmmakers Daniel Gordon and Nicholas Bonner, and was shown at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. 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. Since its broadcast on the ABC some 8 years ago it is apparent that the documentary has also been very useful as an educational resource. 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. The spent cartridges of bright ideas litter the ground. Is this your listing? 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. They're like cats and dogs! Undercover, a three part docume. Crossing the Line is the final installment in director Daniel Gordon's trilogy of films shot inside North Korea. A British documentary about US Army defector James Dresnok currently living in North Korea after having defected during the 60s. 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. You 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. 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. 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. This style represents a step down for Gordon, whose camera in A State of Mind was patient and unobtrusive. When two young non-Indigenous medical students go to work in a remote Aboriginal community their professional precepts and personal ideas are deeply challenged. James Dresnok: The Foreign Studies Institute. However, by 2006when this film was in productionglobal awareness of the North had increased. At the same time, for Aboriginal communities to cross the line puts their cultural identity at risk. The background score is also prone to slight sensationalism, which is disappointing considering the maturity displayed in the same aspect by Gordon earlier. VeryMuchSo Productions / 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. 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. 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