Out of Competition

THE REAL DR EVIL



Rob Lemkin

Country of production: UK
Year: 2003
Language: Korean
Mins: 44

Production company: Old Street Films
Producer: Rob Lemkin
Cinematography: Jonathan Miller, Andrei Erastov
Editing: Karen O’Connor

Print Source: Old Street Films


With Saddam Hussein gone, North Korea's “Dear Leader” Kim Jong-il is regarded as the world's most dangerous man. In his country, millions have died of famine and dissidents are sent to labor camps or executed. Now Kim says he has nuclear weapons and he's prepared to sell them to whoever can afford his price. George Bush put North Korea on the “Axis of Evil” shortlist. Newsweek magazine dubbed Kim "Dr. Evil", a reference to the Hollywood character who plots to destroy the planet. In this portrait, BBC producer Rob Lemkin interviews a film director and his film star wife, who were both kidnapped by Kim to make films in North Korea that were part of a propaganda campaign to improve Kim's image; American diplomats who negotiated with him; and an Italian businessman who finances his goldmines. He charts Kim's progress from lazy student through terrorist mastermind to tough-talking nuclear brinksman. Is Kim really plotting to destroy the planet or is the nickname Dr. Evil nothing more than a battle of words in the Cold War's last frontier?

Rob Lemkin has produced more than 30 documentaries for BBC, ITV and Channel Four (UK). Award include: Royal Television Society, New York Film & TV, Houston and San Francisco. He currently runs independent production company Old Street Films which operates a specialist news investigations unit for Channel Four Television.

Selected filmography:

Real Dr. Evil (2003)
Bearers of the Sword (2002);
The Story of the Shoebomber (2002);
China: Handle with Care (2001);
Malaya: The Undeclared War (1998);
Who Really Killed Aung San? (1997);
Cutting Edge: Royal Treatment 91993);
Viva Mandela! (1990)

SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2005 AT 3.00 PM. / THORNE AUDITORIUM
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