Event

Pulgasari

Over the span of 20 years, Sang-ok Shin sometimes called "the Orson Wells of South Korea" made upwards of 60 films but all that changed in 1978 when the studio closed. Things would go from bad to worse when in what should be an unbelievable turn of events, Shin and his wife (actress Choi Eun-Hee) were kidnapped by Kim Jong-il. Kim's intent was to have Shin create films showcasing the power and might of the Korea Workers Party for all the world to see, with Choi Eun-Hee as their star. Before their escape to Vienna in 1986, and after years in prison camps, they would make 7 films PULGASARI being a crown jewel among them.

While seemingly an obvious Godzilla rip-off, the film is about an evil king in feudal Korea who learns of a coming peasant rebellion. The king gathers all the metal he can find farming tools, cooking pots, etc to make into weapons to squash the small army. A dying blacksmith uses the last of his strength to create a monster made of rice Pulgasari. When his daughters blood hits it, the monster comes to life and traverses the countryside, eating iron as monsters are wont to do.

Not seen outside of Korea for over a decade after its release, the film has gained a cult following for its special effects with Kenpachiro Satsuma who was Godzilla for over a decade in the Pulgasari costume!