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Juche Rules
15 minutes | 17 or older | 2010 | 
United States of America
A reporter gains special access on a tour of North Korea and must decide between breaking a compelling story or risking someone's life.
SynopsisInspired by true events, JUCHE RULES is the story of a young journalist's bizarre bus tour through the mountains of North Korea. Absurd, shocking and terrifying, it's a ride that will force all passengers to define for themselves the meaning of wrong and right.
Director's StatementDespite making international headlines seemingly every week, North Korea is without a doubt one of the most isolated countries in the world. Few outsiders have ever been able to go there. So when I met a film school classmate of mine at the University of Southern California who had been there twice, I was immediately captivated by what he had to say about his travels there. That classmate happens to be veteran news reporter Mark Niu, who traveled there once in 2000 and again in 2003.
After graduating, Mark and I worked together closely on this project to recreate the mixed emotions he felt about being a foreigner traveling along on a guided tour of the North Korean mountains.
His journey was both bizarre and frustrating, primarily because of the strict rules that not only prevented, but outright outlawed open conversation with local people.
So as director, my vision was to take the story one step further by asking the question: What if a foreigner was able to travel to North Korea and form a strong human connection? What could you do? How would you respond? Would you live by their rules?
After we began filming this project, we were startled to find out how closely some of the themes in our film mirrored news headlines, including the recent capture and eventual release of the two female Asian American journalists. Some say truth is stranger than fiction. But in our eyes fiction is often truer than real life.
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Directed by
Kristina Romero -
Written by
Mark Niu -
Produced by
Roy Vongtama, Mark Niu - Juche Rules Website
Written by: Mark Niu
Produced by: Roy Vongtama, Mark Niu
Cast
Hon: Charles KimThe Captain: Ryun Yu
Kai: Roy Vongtama
Trevor: Brent Tyler
Prisoner: Don Kwok
Prisoner: Lauren Kwan
Prison Guard: Ernie Kwan
Bus Driver: Mark Niu
Crew
Digital Effects Artist: Phillip ReevesStill Photographer: Mackenzie Firgens
Sound Mixer: Paul Seradarian
Sound Editor: Sergio Reyes
ADR Supervisor: Spenser Blair
Boom Operator: Arthur Baum
1st AD: Charlotte Marie
2nd AD: Christopher Au Young
UPM: Tim Schukar
Costumer Designer: Eleni Handrinos
Editor: Jim Edwards
Cinematographer: Darryl Walthall
Composer: Peter Vun Chen
Associate Producer: Melvin Williams
Associate Producer: Vitune Vongtama
Associate Producer: Michael Chandler
Producer: Becca Battoe
Director: Kristina Romero
Executive Producer: Mark Niu
Executive Producer: Roy Vongtama
Motion Graphics: Alice Tsay-Fujii
Gaffer: Kunle Bagot
Assistant Camera: Vernon Furniss
Key Grip: Jessica Walker
Production Driver: William Barillaro
Production Driver: Rob Finger
Translator: Elena Chang
Production Assistant: Kate Rees Davies
Production Assistant: Joshua Galitsky
Script Supervisor: Melanie Miller
Moondance International Film Festival -- Audience Award Best Short (Won)
Rainier Independent Film Festival -- Best Short (Nominated)
Buffalo Niagara Film Festival
Burbank International Film Festival -- Best Drama (Nominated)
American International Film Festival -- Best Supporting Actor (Nominated)
HollyShorts Short Film Festival
Action On Film International Film Festival
Philadelphia Asian Film Festival
Big Bear Lake International Film Festival (Big Bear Lake, U.S.A.)
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Director
Kristina Romero
