The Lovers and the Despot (2016): cast, story & where to watch
2016 · Film · ★ 6.9
Released in 2016, The Lovers and the Despot is a history and documentary film directed by Robert Cannan, running about 98 minutes. “They were kidnapped by their biggest fan” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Hong Kong, 1978. South Korean actress Choi Eun-hee is kidnapped by North Korean operatives following orders from dictator Kim Jong-il. Her ex-husband, film director Shin Sang-ok, undertakes her search, but soon after he is kidnapped as well. In 1983, after living through years of tribulations, Kim Jong-il puts them in charge of the North Korean film industry in the hope of gaining international recognition.
Who’s in it. The Lovers and the Despot stars Paul Courtenay Hyu as Shin Sang-ok, Yuna Shin as Choi Eun-hee, Choi Eun-hee as Self - Actress / Various Roles and Michael Yi as Self - US Intelligence Officer, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.9/10, The Lovers and the Despot has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on Philo and rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Lovers and the Despot page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Lovers and the Despot tend to enjoy Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan, Hacksaw Ridge and Green Book.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Lovers and the Despot (2016)?
- In US, The Lovers and the Despot is available to stream on Philo, and rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Lovers and the Despot worth watching?
- The Lovers and the Despot holds an audience score of 6.9 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy history and documentary. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Lovers and the Despot?
- The Lovers and the Despot stars Paul Courtenay Hyu, Yuna Shin, Choi Eun-hee, Michael Yi and Shin Jeong-kyun.
- When was The Lovers and the Despot released?
- The Lovers and the Despot was released in 2016, with a runtime of about 98 minutes.