Pulgasari

Pulgasari  is a 1986 monster film directed and produced by Shin Sang-ok during his North Korean abduction. A co-production between North Korea, Japan, and China, it is supposedly a remake of Bulgasari, a 1962 South Korean film that also depicts Bulgasari/Pulgasari, a creature from Korean folklore. The ensemble cast includes Chang Sŏnhŭi, Ham Kisŏp, Ri Chongguk, Ri Ingwŏn, and Yu Kyŏngae, with Kenpachiro Satsuma in the title role. Set during the Goryeo dynasty, Pulgasari follows a blacksmith's daughter who brings to life a metal-eating monster her late father created to defeat the monarchy. Shin and his wife, Choi Eun-hee, were kidnapped in 1978 by agents of Kim Jong Il and held captive in North Korea. Pulgasari was put forward in February 1985 to capitalize on the success of The Return of Godzilla (1984) and became Shin's last film made under Kim Jong Il's orders. Kim Seryun and Ri Chun-gu collaborated on the screenplay. Principal photography took place in Pyongyang from June to August 1985 on an estimated ¥200–300 million ($2–3 million) budget, making it one of the most expensive films produced in North Korea to that time. Some sources suggest that North Korean filmmaker Chong Gon-jo, who was given sole director credit, completed filming on behalf of Shin. A team of 15 Toho employees, including Teruyoshi Nakano, handled special effects photography from September to December. Pulgasari premiered in North Korea on February 28, 1986, with plans for subsequent international release later that year. However, the film was banned in March after Shin and Choi escaped North Korean supervision and fled to the United States, where Shin later worked on a remake. Pulgasari eventually debuted on VHS in Japan on January 21, 1995, and had its official premiere in Tokyo on July 4, 1998, to commercial success. Critical reception in Japan was positive, with many favorable comparisons to Godzilla (1998). It has since become the most-widely-seen North Korean film internationally, and a cult classic.

Plot In feudal Korea, toward the end of the Goryeo dynasty, a king strictly controls the land, subjecting the peasantry to misery and starvation. Takse, the finest blacksmith in the land, is imprisoned and starved to death for defending his people. Shortly before he dies, Takse makes a tiny rice figurine of a monster and asks the gods to make his creation into a living creature that protects the rebels and the oppressed. The blacksmith's daughter Ami soon receives the figurine, which springs to life upon contact with her blood after she accidentally wounds herself while sewing. The figurine becomes a metal-eating monster Ami dubs Pulgasari, which is the name of the mythical beast her father used to mention as an eater of iron and steel. Pulgasari shares a special bond with Ami. After eating a farmer's tools, it turns into a powerful figure. The peasants become fed up with their poverty and suffering, and form an army intent on overthrowing the monarchy with the aid of Pulgasari, which has now become gigantic. Imperial generals kidnap Ami and threaten to kill her if Pulgasari does not enter a large cage they have created. The monster lets itself be trapped to save Ami and is set ablaze, but is unharmed. The rebels later storm the palace of the region's Governor and kill him. Soon after, the king becomes aware that a rebellion is being planned in the country and intends to crush it. The king runs into Pulgasari, who wins many battles against his army because it devours their metal weapons. Eventually, the royal army seemingly kills the creature by burying it under the ground, captures and executes InDe (the rebellion's leader to whom Ami is betrothed), and threatens to kill Ami if she and the rebels do not surrender. After escaping, Ami revives Pulgasari by pouring some of her blood on the burial site. The creature again grows strong and attacks the king's palace, destroying it and killing the king. After defeating the king, Pulgasari starts eating the rebels' weapons and farmers' tools, given to the creature without objection because the peasants still believe it is a benign savior. Ami realizes Pulgasari's hunger will never be sated and that the monster is inadvertently oppressing the people it fought for. She sacrifices herself by hiding inside a large bell that Pulgasari finds and quickly eats. The monster yells in anguish as Ami's presence in its body causes it to turn to stone and crumble into pieces, killing both of them but saving the people.

Cast

Production

Crew

Development

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