I was able to persuade them to let me shoot in areas that were beyond the volcano itself. Beyond the joint scientific program between Cambridge University and North Korean scientists. I was able to film in a kindergarten, subway, other things you would not normally be allowed to do.

Ten years ago in Antarctica shooting "Encounters at the End of the World," I met a very fine volcanologist from Cambridge University [Clive Oppenheimer] and we kept talking about doing a film and all of a sudden it became serious when he hinted at the possibility to film in North Korea.

If you don’t have a deal in two days, you won’t have a deal in two years.

We have to articulate ourselves. Otherwise we would be cows in the field.

I know whenever it comes to be really dysfunctional and vile and base and hostile on screen, I'm good at that.

North Korea is not an exception. Even there, where you think it would be completely sober, they have the myth of their revolution being connected to the volcano.

If you don't read, you will never be a filmmaker.