Assassins

Just watched this program, excellent production with no sensationalism or repetition (a common fault is programs will go to the commercials break then on return will repeat the story from before the break) telling the story in it's entirety without prejudice to any side (you even understand the Malaysian authorities position and actions) and presents the possible motives for why this event took place.

I hope someday, Kim Jong-Un gets what he gives: death, destruction, fear oppression, cruelty, mercilessness. He is nothing but a baby-man inept to be a good leader out of love, a cry-baby that kills anyone that doesn't comply with his stupid and childish requests, unfit to be: a man, a good honest person, and adult, a thinker, loving responsible, a leader. His only path have been the suffering of the North Korean people, and everyone that deals with North Korea; I hope the North Korean people rises and kill the Fascism in that Country and embrace true democracy: public employees elected and fired by The People

The subject of this documentary is definitely one of those cases of truth being stranger than fiction. I won't go into the details of the story, as this is a film you should approach knowing as little as possible about in order to maximise the surprise and tension generated by its twisting and turning narrative, but broadly it concerns the assassination of a North Korean exile and the subsequent trial of those accused of his murder. The documentary is very well constructed, with the information on the various individuals involved being slowly drip fed, flash back style, over the events of the trial itself. It has the pacing and structure of a classic 70s spy thriller - although this plot is so outlandish it would be deemed preposterous if it weren't actual true. The access to the various participants is excellent & the makers have gathered a wealth of video from CCTV, news & social media to supplement their own footage, so as a viewer it never feels like you are being short changed. It is all very one sided; its clear where the filmmaker's sympathies lie, but then again the North Koreans were never going to participate in a film like this. All in all this documentary is every bit as enjoyable as a regular drama / thriller & keeps you on the edge of your seat right until the end - I would highly recommend it.

"ASSASSINS relies on lawyers' proofs, journalists' notes to elucidate and earmarks most of its volume following the trial of the two female "assassins" (one Indonesian, one Vietnamese), which is at first designated as a show trial, with pencil sketches in lieu of actual court footage. While it is clear as day those two girls are duped, they were led to think they were merely performing a video prank, what sticks in one's throat is that the Malaysian legislature is resolute to use these two innocent pawns as the whipping boy, which really stokes one's indignation. Then turnabouts crop up, indignation subsides, but justice is far from prevailing, instead one can only wheeze out a dispiriting resignation when it is up to political pressure to exculpate the voiceless and downtrodden. Plus, one advise, girls, please smarten up, retaining some common sense in whatever gainful activity you are pursuing."

read my full review on my blog: cinema omnivore, thanks.

Absolutely gripping edge of the seat documentary. Kept the suspense throughout. Amazing watch.