Kim Jong Il, the documentary

Coming on the heels of Kim Jong Il’s public appearance in Pyongyang last week and subsequent reports that he is suffering from pancreatic cancer — both of which reignited a stream of guesses about his life expectancy and speculation about his successor — is the news of a documentary series on North Korea’s leader.

To be sure this multi-episode biopic, poetically named The Sun of Songun Shedding Its Rays All over the World, is a never-before-attempted cinematic venture, as North Korea has yet to produce a film on the Dear Leader. And they’re starting at the very beginning: I Will Add Glory to Korea, the first film, focuses on Kim’s birth and childhood.

Some say the usually camera-shy Kim is taking his mortality seriously, rushing to solidify his legacy in his own vision while he’s able. Others suggest that given his frail state a power vacuum is brewing and the movies are meant to draw attention to more youthful days of iron-fist ruling to reinforce Kim’s control.

The Korean Central News Agency has this to say in a glowing statement released today:

The multipart documentary film will comprehensively deal with the immortal Songun revolutionary exploits performed by leader Kim Jong Il for the country and the revolution, the times and humankind, with his extraordinary wisdom and distinguished art of leadership, political calibre and noble personality.” 

With a promotion like that, it’s a documentary guaranteed to be more popular than March of the Penguins. Well, at least in North Korea…

AUM JUNG-SEOK/AFP/Getty Images