Why Produce A Film About Escaping From North Korea

Dear Friends, 

Over the past several months I visited with you (my friends, family, associates, business partners, investors, and referrals) to tell you about my experience upon reading the book “A Necessary Lie: Escape for Freedom and Love.” Some of you received a copy of the book from me (which you hopefully read) and others already were familiar with the story or know Doohyun “Jake” Kim and Jiyeon “Vivian” Maeng. 


Earlier this year I met with Jake and Vivian to purchase the film rights for the story of their escape from North Korea. Since I am not a filmmaker, and being aware of the risks involved, it has taken a lot of courage for me to send this first newsletter as it marks the point of no return. Thus, the battle within my own soul has been a crucible, to say the least, but I am choosing to be a man in the arena by offering my devotion to this cause.

I want to share the “why” behind my motivation and to solicit your support (or if you want the easy button, go to our YouTube channel and watch my shorts.) First, God placed it upon my heart to act. He has also placed all of you, some extremely talented people, in my path, giving me confidence to move forward. He also planted the ideas for the “how” starting in 2011 when I made my first independent film investment. More recently, my association with the amazing people at other media organizations as a donor and huge fan has given me insight as to how to build the groundwork for this venture. Following their example, I feel the best strategy is to dedicate this project in service to humankind. Thus, to best align my interests, I have removed any financial incentive by establishing a non-profit organization to hold the manager’s profit share from the films produced. After all, the best partner in this venture is God; so it’s my goal to align this organization’s interests with His! The past several months has proven my theory as time, after time, I keep watching difficult things come together, hearing others tell me they feel drawn to this project, the unknown slowly becoming known, etc. I am humbled and mind-blown to be a part of this movement to help the people of Korea!


So here is a summary of my last year:

  • I had a friend encourage me to acquire film rights if I ever found the right story.
  • I read the book in November 2024 and was hit by a powerful feeling.
  • I met the authors in December 2024 and acquired the film rights in January 2025.
  • I started contacting my network and asking God for help finding the right people who could assist with the necessary pieces of this project (and He delivered)…I met Derral Eves (a generous mentor/advisor) through our mutual banker.
  • I realized that this film could be structured similar to other similar ventures with the Intellectual Property (IP) held in a non-profit entity with a for-profit production company.
  • Seeking for the right legal team to help with the entertainment industry contracts as well as the creation of the charitable foundation, I came upon the same lawyers who had helped other similar organizations with their current structure! 
  • Our legal team identified some chain of title concerns so they helped me cancel and re-do our book option agreements. Now the initial IP is held by the charity from the beginning.
  • The foundation’s name I originally wanted hit a snag and thus after three months of searching to find the right name (that had a clear path to federal trademark protection), we landed on the KNOWN BY NAME FOUNDATION.
  • I received a referral for a screenwriter, and we recently finalized the contract for his screenwriting talents. I spent many months in discussions/negotiations with this screenwriter confirming his take that he is the right person for this project. I can’t wait to tell you more about Matt Doherty, our screenwriter…he is so awesome!
  • We now have a core group of talented team members who have felt drawn to this project and this includes individuals with expertise in production/creative film media, music, Korean language, social media, branding, website development, entrepreneurship, charitable foundations, screenwriting, and more.
  • We had our first speaking event when Jake Kim spoke at iHub in Provo Utah in June and it was a total hit (now he has agreed to go on tour and speak at other events and podcasts).
  • Last week I launched our website and YouTube Channel

I believe that producing this film is more about providing a vehicle that can help mobilize good people around the world, to help those whose freedoms are severely oppressed (like the people in North Korea). That is my hope. And I pray you will also be drawn to the power of this story. Many people already feel that when this story is told in the right way, it will be important to our world.   

We can also show our love to Jake and Vivian by supporting their story and honoring their people. You will learn more about them in the future; they are heroes who have risked more than we can imagine.

In our next newsletter, I will tell you more about the vision behind the Known By Name Foundation.

Before I close, I want to ask you each to consider the following ways you can help...
✓Forward a copy of this newsletter to 5 friends and they can click on this link and be added to our future communications
 
✓Help us find some great venues for future speaking events where Jake and Vivian can share their story at universities, corporate events, motivational gatherings, podcasts, etc.
 
✓Include us in your prayers (and throw some positive vibes our way by believing in us)
 
✓Follow us on social media and post comments and likes (only YouTube right now but more to come soon...)
 
✓Purchase a copy of the book for your friends, family, neighbors, associates, and strangers and then talk with them about the story
 
✓Purchase some of our merchandise from our online store...we will always sell our merchandise at our cost + your donation (we will have some really cool swag)
 
✓Support all good causes and charities by embracing volunteerism and community involvement for these organizations are a part of the symbiotic threads of democracies
 
✓Consider a donation to our foundation or ask me how you can become an investor in the film production company
 
✓ I promise complete transparency and accountability to all of our supporters.
 
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. If you haven’t read the book yet, I urge you to do so. This could have been you. 
 
In future newsletters we will discuss so many relevant topics that this story draws out. For example, do you find it unsettling to know that 5.7 billion people today live under authoritarian regimes where democratic institutions like free media, civil society, independent organizations, a judicial system, and fair elections are not existent, or are being actively dismantled? Did you know that in North Korea you can be publicly beaten and jailed for up to 12 years just for watching a K-drama TV show?
 
But what can we do about it?
 
Let’s make a movie...!
 
Gratefully yours,
 
Erik Felsted