On the Art of the Cinema is a 1973 treatise by North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, widely regarded as the most authoritative work on the country's filmmaking. The book presents original theories, most notably "humanics," which emphasizes independent individuals and a worthy life, and the "seed theory," which dictates a single ideological foundation for all artistic creation to serve as propaganda for the Workers' Party of Korea and the Juche ideology. Its publication was politically significant, cementing Kim Jong Il's cultural influence and contributing to his eventual succession of Kim Il Sung.
Prior to writing the treatise, Kim Jong Il had already spent nearly a decade deeply immersed in cultural and propaganda work since 1964, personally guiding the production of major films like Sea of Blood (1969) and The Flower Girl (1972). While theoretically foundational, the practical impact of On the Art of the Cinema on actual North Korean filmmaking is debated, with many films before and after its release sharing similar styles, and some even breaching its guidelines.