“Flash Drives for Freedom”: Carrying Truth Across the Border
“Flash Drives for Freedom”:
Carrying Truth
Across the Border
06/02/2025
At Moktan Productions, we’re drawn to stories that cross boundaries—physical, cultural, and political. One such story came through our collaboration with the Human Rights Foundation and PEN International, featuring North Korean activist Kim Jeong-ae.
The resulting film supports Flash Drives for Freedom, a campaign that smuggles information into North Korea using donated USB sticks loaded with content like music, videos, and news articles. It was shown alongside an interactive display at the 2025 Oslo Freedom Forum last week, inviting viewers to participate by donating their own flash drives to the movement.
Filmed in the basement office of PEN International’s North Korean writers-in-exile center in Seoul, the shoot called for a transformation of a modest, enclosed space. Our crew rearranged the room to create visual depth and ensure variety in the backdrop. We also brought in additional lighting to simulate daylight and give the space a sense of openness, contrast, and quiet purpose.
To support a smooth delivery, we used a teleprompter so Ms. Kim could deliver her message with clarity and control. Though the topic is heavy—dealing with censorship, exile, and the struggle for truth—there was warmth on set throughout. The PEN team not only welcomed us fully into their space but also provided refreshments and made sure everyone felt supported and focused.
Flash Drives for Freedom is more than a campaign—it’s a lifeline. The USB drives, packed with uncensored content, are attached to balloons along with food and medical supplies, then released when wind conditions allow. These drives land in unexpected places across North Korea, offering citizens rare access to information and perspectives beyond their borders.
Being part of this initiative was a reminder of storytelling’s profound power—its ability to reach beyond walls and censorship, to kindle hope and human connection. We are honored to help amplify Kim Jeong-ae’s voice and support those striving to break the silence.
