Abduction: The Megumi Yokota Story

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Abduction: The Megumi Yokota Story

Released Nov 24, 2006

1h 25m

Documentary

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Popcornmeter

83%

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23 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

Filmmakers Chris Sheridan and Patty Kim examine the case of a 13-year-old Japanese girl who was kidnapped on her way home from school in 1977. Though the incident at first seems to be a typical crime, authorities gradually learn that Megumi and other victims were taken by North Korean agents for use as role models for spies who wished to pass as Japanese citizens.

Sid Smith

Chicago Tribune

This superb, quite moving film combines interviews, news footage and some reality TV-like sequences and works on a number of levels.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jan 26, 2007

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Scott Brown

Entertainment Weekly

... as thickets of history and culture are (too) neatly avoided, the viewer is also left in the dark.

Rated: B-

Jan 25, 2007

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Anthony Lane

The New Yorker

The events that unfold in the new documentary Abduction: The Megumi Yokota Story could have been told as fiction, but they would have seemed too much -- too unbelievable, too merciless.

Jan 16, 2007

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Michael W. Phillips, Jr.

Goatdog's Movies

This topic deserved better than America's Most Wanted.

Rated: 2/5

Apr 11, 2007

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Marc Mohan

Oregonian

Abduction is a skillful interweaving of emotional, personal stories with the thicker strands of history, and a reminder that in reality such tales rarely have a tidy end.

Feb 2, 2007

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Timothy Knight

Reel.com

Incredibly powerful -- and never more so than when the filmmakers turn their cameras on the Yokotas and other victims' families, many of whom channel their pain and anger into political activism.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jan 26, 2007

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Audience Member

this was such a moving, shocking and tragic film. being so removed from east asian culture or customs or life, it was so astonishing to me, not only to see the power of north korea, but even, most simply the way of life in japan. it was so heart wrenching to see these families suffer and still persist with every odd against them. the documentary did a wonderful job capturing human emotion the reality of the situation. i really pray that megumi is still alive and that she can return to her family soon.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

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Audience Member

Fascinating and heartbreaking documentary about the North Korean abduction of Japanese citizens.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

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Audience Member

I was totally unaware of these abductions and, thus, totally taken by surprise. I wonder why this didn't receive more attention internationally while it was going on. Not the best documentary I've seen as far as capturing your attention is concerned: some cheap tricks are used to prolong suspense, which I find absolutely unnecessary. However, the subject matter will make you take a second look at this.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

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Audience Member

well, the movie isn't so much about the abduction itself as about the families that try to cope with what has happened. highly emotional, as can be expected; which is not always a good thing. sad that we may never actually find out what happened to those that were labelled 'dead.'

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/18/23

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Audience Member

A very sad story but an interesting documentary.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

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Audience Member

I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. You will need a big box of kleenex for this one!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

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Chris Sheridan

Director

Patty Kim

Director

Patty Kim

Writer

Chris Sheridan

Writer

Chris Sheridan

Producer

Patty Kim

Producer

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Synopsis

Filmmakers Chris Sheridan and Patty Kim examine the case of a 13-year-old Japanese girl who was kidnapped on her way home from school in 1977. Though the incident at first seems to be a typical crime, authorities gradually learn that Megumi and other victims were taken by North Korean agents for use as role models for spies who wished to pass as Japanese citizens.

Director: Chris Sheridan, Patty Kim
Producer: Chris Sheridan, Patty Kim
Screenwriter: Patty Kim, Chris Sheridan
Distributor: Safari Media
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 24, 2006, Limited
Runtime: 1h 25m