The award winning documentary Beyond Utopia follows a family of five — including small children and an elderly grandmother as they attempt to flee North Korea.

Directed by Madeleine Gavin, the documentary world premiered at the Sundance Film Festival where it won the Audience Award in the U.S. documentary competition.

Release Date

Roadside Attractions and Fathom Events have partnered to release the film in more than 600 theaters nationwide for a special two-night only event on October 23 and 24.

Synopsis

A suspenseful, riveting portrait of the lengths people will go to gain freedom, the documentary follows various families as they attempt to flee North Korea, one of the most oppressive places on Earth, a land they grew up believing was a paradise. At the film’s core is a courageous pastor, a man of God on a mission to help a mother reunite with the child she was forced to leave behind, and a family of five — including small children and an elderly grandmother — embarking on a treacherous journey into the hostile mountains of China. Leaving their homeland is fraught with unimaginable danger — yet these individuals are driven to take the risk. Gripping, thrilling, and never more timely, Madeleine Gavin’s award-winning film embeds the viewer with these family members as they attempt their perilous escape, palpably conveying life-or-death stakes. The result is a singular, heart-pounding, and unforgettable experience.

“The journey I have been on in the making of this film has been the most meaningful of my career and the friendships I have made will stay with me for a lifetime,” says Gavin. “An entire nation of people — 26 million individuals — have existed inside the shrouded borders of North Korea, and have not been heard by the outside world. I am incredibly grateful to Fathom and to Roadside for helping to bring these voices to audiences around the country. They deserve to be heard.”

Official Trailer

Watch the official trailer for Beyond Utopia.