The Mole: Undercover in North Korea Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A Danish chef pretends to be an arms dealer to expose North Korea’s wacky international business dealings, all while managing to not get shot or imprisoned.

🍿 The Mole: Undercover in North Korea: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Infiltration of the Korean Friendship Association

The documentary follows Ulrich Larsen, a Danish chef, as he infiltrates the Korean Friendship Association (KFA). Larsen, motivated by a desire to expose North Korea’s illicit activities, begins attending KFA meetings and gradually gains the trust of key figures, including Alejandro Cao de Benós, a Spanish aristocrat and high-ranking KFA official. This sets the stage for a decade-long undercover operation.

Building Trust and Uncovering Illegal Activities

Over several years, Larsen meticulously documents his interactions with KFA members, gathering evidence of North Korea’s involvement in illegal activities. He uses hidden cameras and recording devices to capture meetings where plans for arms deals, drug trafficking, and other illicit ventures are discussed. The film highlights the risks Larsen takes to maintain his cover and the psychological toll of living a double life.

The Introduction of ‘Mr. James’

As the operation progresses, Larsen enlists the help of Jim Latrache-Qvortrup, a former French Foreign Legionnaire and convicted drug dealer, who takes on the persona of ‘Mr. James’. Mr. James adds credibility to the operation by posing as a wealthy businessman interested in investing in North Korea’s illicit schemes. His involvement allows the undercover team to gain access to higher-level North Korean officials and more sensitive information.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ulrich Løvenskjold Larsen (Ulrich Løvenskjold Larsen): An ordinary Danish chef and pensioner who becomes ‘The Mole,’ infiltrating the Korean Friendship Association to expose North Korea’s illicit activities.
• Mads Brügger (Mads Brügger): The writer and director of the documentary who orchestrates and documents the decade-long undercover operation.
• Jim Latrache-Qvortrup (Jim Latrache-Qvortrup): An ex-French Foreign Legionary and former criminal known as ‘Mr. James’ who aids Ulrich in setting up fake deals.
• Alejandro Cao de Benos de Les y Pérez (Alejandro Cao de Benos de Les y Pérez): A Spanish aristocrat and high-ranking official in the Korean Friendship Association who unwittingly becomes a key target of the investigation.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Mads Brügger: “Reality beats fiction.” – Reflects the director’s sentiment on the unbelievable nature of the events that unfolded during the decade-long operation.
• Reviewer: “If there was no video footage, no one would believe it happened.” – Highlights the incredibility of the events depicted and the importance of the visual evidence captured.
• Reviewer: “This is the Most Incredible Documentary I’ve Ever Watched!” – A reviewer expressing their excitement about the film’s portrayal of a real-life undercover spy operation.

💰Box Office

• Budget: €1,991,181
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 The Mole: Undercover in North Korea Reviews

Personal Review

Wow, this documentary was insane! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. The fact that these guys pulled this off for ten years is unbelievable. The sheer audacity of the whole operation is mind-blowing. I’m still trying to process everything I just watched, definitely a must-see!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of spy thrillers”
  • “People interested in North Korea”
  • “Documentary enthusiasts”
  • “Viewers interested in international politics and espionage”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Deception”
  • “Illegal activities (arms dealing, drug trafficking)”
  • “Discussion of a brutal regime”
  • “Some potentially disturbing images/discussions related to human rights abuses”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Mads Brügger’s ‘The Mole’ is a jaw-dropping exposé that relies on ‘fool’s luck’ to uncover North Korea’s illicit activities. The film’s strength lies in its ability to make the unbelievable feel real, offering a rare glimpse into the secretive world of international espionage and corruption.
• IMDB User Review: “Mind Blowing! I honestly can’t get my head around anyone who thinks this is worthy of anything under 8. Folk saying about bad directorship or anything along those lines are thick as s##t! It’s more an expose than a typical documentary but that’s because it had so many hidden cameras. What were you expecting? Some beautiful cinematography?! This guy spent 10 years of his life on the line and people are giving it 1 star. Unbelievable. For anyone with half a brain I fully recommend this. Stunning.
• IMDB User Review: “This seems to have hit a nerve. I needn’t go over the story again here, it’s utterly gripping, but I am just posting this review to say that *every single account* that has reviewed this documentary as propaganda and fiction has been created in October 2020 and this was their first or unique contribution to imdb. I checked because I am naturally suspicious and I also immediately noticed an unnatural amount of thumbs down on positive reviews, for a documentary that highly rated. Draw your own conclusions.

Audience Reactions

Viewers were amazed by the sheer audacity and bravery of the undercover operation.: The documentary’s gripping narrative and real-life spy thriller elements captivated audiences.

Many viewers found the documentary unbelievable, questioning the authenticity while praising the courage of the participants.: The realness of the events made the documentary both fascinating and disturbing.

Overall Consensus: A gripping and unbelievable documentary that exposes the dark underbelly of North Korea’s international dealings, leaving audiences both amazed and disturbed.

Awards

1. Sundance Film Festival (World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award: Impact for Change)- 2020

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The documentary spanned a decade of undercover work, with Ulrich Løvenskjold Larsen, the ‘mole,’ dedicating a significant portion of his life to the dangerous mission.”
• “Mads Brügger, known for his provocative and boundary-pushing documentaries, used hidden cameras and meticulous planning to capture the clandestine meetings and expose North Korea’s illicit activities.”
• “The film’s production team faced numerous challenges, including the risk of exposure, logistical complexities in filming sensitive locations, and the need to maintain secrecy to protect the safety of those involved.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Mole: Undercover in North Korea?

The documentary ‘The Mole: Undercover in North Korea’ is available on BBC iPlayer in the UK. Availability may vary depending on your region. Check your local streaming services or digital purchase platforms like Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video (for purchase or rental), and Google Play Movies to see if it’s available for streaming or purchase.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Mole: Undercover in North Korea, you might like these similar films:

• Citizenfour (2014): Shares a similar theme of exposing government secrets and the risks involved in whistleblowing.
• The Act of Killing (2012): Presents a disturbing look at the perpetrators of atrocities, though in a different context (Indonesian mass killings), using innovative documentary techniques.
• Argo (2012): While a dramatization, it depicts a daring real-life covert operation to rescue American diplomats from Iran, highlighting the suspense and political intrigue.

🛒 The Mole: Undercover in North Korea Related Products

• North Korea Flag (3×5 ft): A high-quality flag of North Korea, perfect for collectors or those interested in North Korean culture and politics. Show your complex fascination with this historic regime.
• Espionage Starter Kit: A playful starter kit includes a spyglass, fake mustache, and miniature notebook. Perfect for pretend espionage activities and inspired by the undercover nature of the documentary.
• Spy Pen with Hidden Camera: A functional pen with a built-in hidden camera for recording video and audio. Inspired by the undercover filming in the documentary. This could potentially be used for good, or for very bad.
• International Man of Mystery Costume: A fun spy-themed costume, including a suit and various spy gadgets and mustaches. Perfect for themed parties and events.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Mole: Undercover in North Korea features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Unknown Title” – performed by Soundtrack details are not available. Generally, documentaries do not have conventional soundtrack albums. The music would be background, and likely not listed in detail.

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

TOP 10 Disturbing Documentaries | Spookyastronauts

Looking for more unsettling true stories after watching ‘The Mole’? This video counts it among the most disturbing documentaries out there! I think it’s a solid pick, and you might discover your next obsession in this list.

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