Pulgasari (1985)

aka’s: Bulgasari/불가사리

In feudal Korea, the evil King becomes aware that there is a peasant rebellion being planned in the country. He steals all the iron farming tools and cooking pots from the people so that he may make weapons to fend off the peasant army. After he returns the property to the people, an old blacksmith is imprisoned and starved to death. His last creation is a tiny figurine of a monster — Pulgasari, a Gojira-like creature that eats iron. The blood of his daughter brings the creature to life. The creature then fights with the poor, starving peasants to overthrow the corrupt monarchy. (In Korean language, with English subtitles).

In 1978, Director Shin Sang-Ok and his wife, actress Choe Un-Hee were kidnapped by North Korean agents under the direction of future North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il, a movie buff. When Shin refused to direct propaganda movies for the Korea Workers' Party, he was imprisoned for almost five years, living on a diet of grass and bark. In 1983, Kim Jong Il, became head of his country and had Shin released. Kim said he would allow Shin to make any film he liked. Shin accepted and he and his wife were provided with a large mansion and a Mercedes. Kim Jong Il himself came up with the story for Pulgasari, a rip-off of the Japanese monster films such as Gojira. Shin directed seven films until 1986, when during a trip to Vienna, the couple fled by taxi to the American embassy.