Shin Sang-Ok′s appearance can be considered an event in North Korea, a country lacking forms of contact outside its borders. <b>Runaway</b> has been recognized as Shin Sang-Ok′s best film among his seven productions in North Korea. Based on the short autobiography of leftist Choi Seo-Hae written in the 1920s, the film portrays the difficult life of the Parks, living in the Gando area of Manchuria under Japanese occupation. After losing his father through a deceit by his relatives, Park takes his mother and wife across the Dooman River to escape poverty. Instead their situation worsens as a result of oppression by Japanese army and avarice by the locals. They face life and death struggles on a daily basis. After losing his child and facing of the imminent death of his mother, Park finally releases his accumulated rage. This narration of the life of the Park family through Park′s recollection of the past serves as the motive of his transformation into a socialist. Shin Sang-Ok successfully portrays their lives through a classical yet vivid manner. <b>Runaway</b> was filmed on Baekdoo Mountain and in China. Celebrated actress Choi Eun-Hee plays the role of the wife. (Kwon Yong-Min)