My name is Simon Fowler and I am a British film critic specialising in Asian cinema. I wrote this book about Chinese cinema: 101 Essential Chinese Movies. I was also the film critic for Time Out Beijing magazine for over two years.

More recently I’ve appeared in print, online, on the radio and on TV for the likes of The Guardian, BBC, Little White Lies and Sight & Sound.

North Korea is one of the most fascinating, closeted and beguiling places on the planet. Its film industry only enhances this impression.

From kidnapped directors, monster movies, Italian ’80s action movies and hardcore propaganda, there’s always something to write about.

In this blog I review North Korean movies, link to news and report on the way North Korea is portrayed in other films.

If you’d like to get in touch about any aspect of North Korean cinema, please use the form below.