Film Lens
Seoul Train is a 2004 documentary that follows the perilous escapes of North Korean refugees as they navigate through China in search of safety. The film reveals the risks these individuals face, including forced repatriation, torture, and execution if caught. It also shows the efforts of activists who have created an underground network of safe houses and escape routes to aid the refugees in evading authorities and North Korean agents.
Produced and directed by Jim Butterworth and Lisa Sleeth, the filmmakers lived in a safe house on the China-North Korea border during the production. This proximity allowed them to capture the realities of the refugees' experiences, as well as the dangers posed by North Korean soldiers. The film has received several accolades, including the 2007 Alfred I. duPont – Columbia University Silver Baton for excellence in broadcast journalism.
Why Watch
- •See North Korean refugees risking everything for freedom.
- •Meet activists creating an underground railroad for escape.
- •Find out how the film influenced journalists like Euna Lee.
Did You Know
•Seoul Train was broadcast in over 22 countries, including the U.S.
•In 2007, it won the Alfred I. duPont – Columbia University Silver Baton.
•The film was shot by Butterworth and Sleeth while living on the China-North Korea border.
•North Korean soldiers apprehended Euna Lee and Laura Ling in 2009 while retracing the filmmakers' steps.
Perfect For
North Korean human rightsDocumentary filmmakingActivism and refugees