Magnolia Pictures isn’t afraid of North Korea.
The distributor has picked up the worldwide rights to “The Lovers and the Despot,” a doc focusing on the true story of South Korean director Shin Sang-ok and actress Choi Eun-hee, who were kidnapped in 1978, imprisoned and forced to make feature films for movie-obsessed dictator Kim Jong-il.
“I don’t think there will be any repercussions,” Magnolia president Eamonn Bowles told us when we asked if he’s worried about retaliation following Sony’s hack during the lead-up to the release of James Franco’s “The Interview,” which showed Kim Jong-un’s head catching fire.
“I feel confident putting it out. I’m not worried about an international incident. I hope not, anyway. This is an undeniable true story, and ‘The Interview’ was a pointed critique and satire on the government . . . that was basically a cinematic insult.” He continued, “I’m not that concerned, but who knows what goes on in that regime’s head. They’ve obviously got their own agendas.”