This film essentially begins during the winter in a region of China just south of the border of North Korea near the Dooman River. As it so happens, this river often ices over when the temperatures plummet and this affords an escape route for North Koreans into China. The problem for these refugees is that there isn't much shelter for them and often they are starving once they get across to safety. Fortunately for some of them, there is a small village comprised of Koreans on the southern side of the river which happens to have a small family comprised of an elderly man (played by "Jin-Long Lin") and two of his grand-children "Chang-Ho" (Jian Cui) and "Soon-Hee" (Lan Yin) who offer them a temporary haven out of the kindness of their hearts. Unfortunately, as the situation in North Korea deteriorates things become much more difficult for everyone involved. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this was an interesting film which vividly captured the desperation of those living in this particular area of the world. It does, however, have several slow parts here and there along with a few rather depressing scenes as well. In any case, while this might not be a film everyone can enjoy, it was certainly thought-provoking and for that reason I have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.
Review of Dooman River
