IMDb RATING
7.4/10
5.1K
YOUR RATING
A propaganda documentary about North Korea that reveals a few hidden facts because the director continues filming between the scripted scenes.A propaganda documentary about North Korea that reveals a few hidden facts because the director continues filming between the scripted scenes.A propaganda documentary about North Korea that reveals a few hidden facts because the director continues filming between the scripted scenes.
- Awards
- 12 wins & 10 nominations
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- Writer
- All cast & crew
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Storyline
Did you know
- Crazy creditsThe script of this film was assigned to us by the North Korean SOE. They also kindly provided us with an around the clock escort service, chose our filming locations and looked over all the footage we shot to make sure that we did not make any mistakes in showing the life of a perfectly ordinary family in the best country in the world, with a daughter preparing to join the Children's Union - her first step on the way to becoming a part of the system dreamed by the Great Kim Il-Sung.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Eshenepozner: Vitaly Mansky (2020)
Featured review
A Peak Inside the Secret Orwellian World of North Korea
Under the Sun was well-received at Austin's SXSW Film Festival. It is a surreal film which was filmed by a Russian director who was given extraordinary access to film a family in Pyongyang, North Korea. Of course the entire film was scripted by the government and the director and his crew were monitored by government minders. The product is a picture of the family eating dinner, the young girl in class, the parents at work and everybody following the script. The young girl gets to join the children's union, a group that bears a striking resemblance to Hitler Youth. It is like a scene out of George Orwell that would fit well in Leni Riefenstahl propaganda film. Oddly, perhaps by accident or carelessness, the North Korean minders sometimes allowed the film crew to film some scenes where they are given instructions on what they want done in the next scene. The overall picture is eerie and it is difficult to tell whether the people just obey out of habit or out of fear. Are they complete automatons in most bizarre regime in the world? Do they even understand that there is alternative reality or have they been completely brainwashed to believe that they live in some sort of workers' paradise? While a little repetitive at times, Under the Sun is fascinating and rare chance to see inside the most isolated and repressive country on Earth. Recommended if you can deal with this sort of material.
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- JustCuriosity
- Mar 12, 2016
- How long is Under the Sun?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official sites
- Language
- Also known as
- Under solen
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- €390,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $105,036
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $15,454
- Jul 10, 2016
- Gross worldwide
- $305,993
- Runtime1 hour 46 minutes
- Color
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