The opening scene from our film script depicts three elementary age BOYS standing in front of class each holding a cartoon poster. The first holds a portrait of – a tomato. The second – an apple. And the third poster? A grape. It is Doohyun holding this one…the TEACHER paces in front and reminds everyone to strive to be a tomato, red on the inside and outside (signaling complete communist loyalty to the Kim family). The kids should avoid the temptations of being an apple, who is only red on the outside but not inside (the wavering class looks like they are loyal, but they may privately consider other philosophies and ideals that could question the regime). Finally the TEACHER towers above Doohyun and delivers an ominous warning - to drive home the absolute avoidance of being a grape, who is neither red inside nor outside.
The North Korean government demands complete loyalty from its citizens. Through authoritarian control, they impose unquestioning loyalty and uniform thought to stay in power. However, humans are each distinct souls endowed by God with the ability to think and act freely. The only way to attempt to strip this God-given agency from a person is through brutality and other designs. But it never fully works, nor is it sustainable long term. The problem is many of us are grapes. I am for sure.
One huge blessing from associating with North Korean defectors is how much deeper I appreciate the freedoms we enjoy. Most of the NK defectors I’ve met are grapes…they have strong, independent spirits who would rather die trying to escape than live in a society that strips them of their agency to think and act freely according to the dictates of their wills. We are not all the same, nor is it God’s plan that we think, dress, act, and speak the same.
“I resented having to live in a society that degraded me, where I didn’t have the freedom to speak out against injustice.” Eunhee Park
WHAT IS FREEDOM?
In a previous newsletter I introduced Eunhee Park, who teaches me online Korean lessons. For the past few years she has been writing her book “The Courage To Die” and it just came available on Amazon November 19th. I finished reading it over the Thanksgiving holiday. She is an amazing person with a courageous and valiant spirit. She has no family to lean upon because she escaped alone. Please support her and read her story. We can be her family!
Eunhee speaks about canal punishment in North Korea (I’ll admit I had to look that up). I remembered that even when I was young it was not unusual to be disciplined with a belt, stick, or even a strong adult hand. Today, I am horrified to think about a teacher, or parent beating a child with anything including harsh words! Many societies in our world have not progressed in this way.
She describes her grandfather who was disabled because society placed him in a low Songbun (성분) thus he worked a difficult manual labor job with no safety protections. He lost an arm and limped with a cane all of his life due to a work accident. The NK society does not have a law that provides protections for disabled persons, and, in fact, the society cruelly forces more harshness on them. [But let’s not forget that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was enacted only 35 years ago]. The sweet image she portrays as a child proudly walking down the street holding her grandfather’s empty sleeve is so vivid. What blessings would come to the NK people if they lived under a democracy!
Here are some awesome Freedom quotes from Eunhee’s book:
“In North Korea, it is boasted that all of our needs are taken care of by the state. Free medical care, free education, free rations—but that couldn’t be further from reality. While we may not have had to pay direct tuition, there were many costs hidden behind forced donations to prove our loyalty.”
“I had arrived in the land of liberty, yet I quickly realized freedom was not a destination. It wasn’t a place I had reached, but a discipline, a life I would have to learn, shape and claim every single day.”
“Freedom isn’t just about enjoying the choices you have, it’s about bearing the weight and responsibility for every choice. A normal life wasn’t something given; it was a goal I had to strive for.”
“The word “free” is one of the most seductive lies. I would soon learn that in this world, when someone provides everything “free of charge,” the price you pay is far higher—you pay with your freedom.”
HOLLYWOOD & FILMMAKING
Two weeks ago at the 2025 American Film Market (AFM) in Los Angeles a producer named Jeffery Greenstein’s words really resonated with me. He said the most important things are:
(1) Story, Story, Story!!!
(2) Director
(3) Actors (who bring an audience)
I immediately thought about real estate investing...Location, Location, Location! Isn’t it amazing how many principles we already know are transferable to other disciplines? Having a great director and actors is kind of like stacking your executive team and board with “A” players. I think it’s also about increasing the likelihood of a film rising above the rest. Big name actors generally come with big social media following. Greenstein's next movie called Solo Mio comes out in February...starring Jonathan Roumie and Kevin James (two well known actors)!
While I was at a party in LA, I met a producer who has been in the business for a very long time (he produces films with $40m budgets). His advice to me was this: it’s not complicated to produce a film, all you need is a great story and a billionaire! As I thought on this advice, I realized I already know off the top of my head three examples of this success pattern in the film/TV space. While I don’t associate with any billionaires, I am determined to build something of value that can bless the lives of many people. Hopefully, we can expose the impact of oppression in all its forms, amplify the voices of those who are silenced by bringing their stories to light, and support pathways toward dignity, justice, and freedom. Perhaps, if we do it well, it will attract the resources needed to make a difference in the world (then we can reach more people with higher quality films). But if not, I am extremely fulfilled just trying, doing something that matters, and through this journey creating a vehicle to bless any person who comes to know of God’s love for them.
“May you never take your freedom for granted, and when life feels unbearable, may you remember this: freedom, no matter how fragile, remains the most powerful gift we possess, and even in the darkest places, hope will always find a way to bloom.” Eunhee Park
I hope all of you are surrounded by loved ones, especially during this Christmas and holiday season. I pray God will touch those who lack knowledge of the Savior and we can be a means to bring the light, hope, and joy to them.
Gratefully Yours,
Erik Felsted
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