Programs

Dissidents

From harassing relatives back home to disrupting protests and spying on critics in other countries, China is one of the most aggressive governments in targeting dissidents abroad. We follow three dissidents in America as they continue their fight for democracy.

Juntao Wang, a primary organizer of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and one of the world’s most renowned Chinese dissidents, has led the Democratic Party of China for more than a decade from the New York headquarters. But wherever he goes, pro-Beijing mobs often follow. While showing support for Taiwan’s democracy, his group is violently attacked.

Artist Weiming Chen, who criticises the Chinese government through his sculptures, has been spied on and has his work burnt down. Meanwhile asylum seeker, Chunyan Wang, forced into exile after her house was appropriated by the Chinese government, is constantly surveilled. She takes her protest directly to the Chinese Vice Premier during the U.S.- China trade talks. But her attempts to hand him a petition lead to her being arrested and charged with a criminal case, facing 10 years of imprisonment if found guilty.

Combining intimate observational footage, rich archival materials and an investigative approach, the film reveals the extent to which Chinese repression extends beyond its borders.

PRODUCTION INFO

  • Year: 2024
  • Duration: 75 & 52 mins
  • Production: C35 Films
  • Director: Yi Chen
  • Available Versions: ENG
  • Country of production: United States

FESTIVALS & AWARDS

  • Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival 2024 (USA), Doc Edge 2024 (New Zealand), Asian American International Film Festival NYC 2024 (USA)