In the last of our trio of North Korean docs, A State of Mind director Daniel Gordon returns to country to explore not its original citizens but rather, shockingly, American defectors. Granted rare access, Gordon rides a thin line to not aggrevate his hosts, but the results are still fascinating

Daniel Gordon, who has made three films in North Korea, provides with A State of Mind a glimpse (and what a glimpse!) of the immense collective performances that are the nation’s pride. The path of two young girls reveals the group and individual pressures and triumphs.

Today we begin a three-film series offering a view—albeit limited—into North Korea. A darkly funny stunt with echoes of Sacha Baron Cohen, The Red Chapel is a truly bizarre, outrageous documentary about life inside a totalitarian nightmare. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance.