North Korean communist leader Kim Jong-il believed to be a Bond fan

News of a forthcoming film festival in South Korea to show films made in communist North Korea has revealed an interesting aspect to Kim Jong-il.

The North Korean leader is known to be something of a film buff and is believed to be a fan of James Bond movies.

In an extraordinary episode in 1978, Kim is suspected of being the mastermind behind the abduction to Pyongyang of prominent South Korean film director, Shin Sang-ok, together with his ex-wife and actress, Choi Eun-hee.

The Pusan International Film Festival, the event held in South Korea which previously tried and failed to screen North Korean films in 2000, declined to comment on whether the films would be shown.

There will be a total of 17 screens, including a giant outdoor theater close to the crescent-shaped Haeundae beach during the festival.

Last year "Die Another Day" rocked both North and South Korea with controversy. Many cinemas banned the film, despite a full house at the film premiere in Seoul.

MI6: Korea Protests Against "Die Another Day"
MI6: Korean "Die Another Day" Screening Report

Thanks to Scorpion for the alert.


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