Free China: The Courage to Believe

Free China: The Courage to Believe, a powerful documentary released in 2011, is directed by Michael Perlman and prominently features two integral humanitarians and activists, Ethan Gutmann and David Kilgour. The documentary strives to unravel the layers of human rights abuses in China and artfully combines personal perspectives with crucial political commentary.

The film seeks to expose the rampant injustices and the grim reality of the totalitarian Chinese regime, specifically focusing on Falun Gong, a spiritual practice outlawed by the Chinese government. It balances the exploration of unnerving political realities and advocacies with the personal stories of two practitioners.

Ethan Gutmann, a human rights defender, investigative journalist, and author, is known for his extensive work on the human rights abuses in China. Gutmann's role in the documentary is to provide insightful commentary and narratives that unlock the complex Chinese political landscape. He meticulously presents his research on the persecution faced by the practitioners of Falun Gong, which forms an integral fabric of the film's narrative. His expertise cements a foundation for understanding the intimidating and secretive workings of the Chinese government.

David Kilgour, a former Canadian politician and human rights activist, lends a global perspective to the film. Kilgour's longtime advocacy for the civil liberties of Chinese citizens, particularly Falun Gong practitioners, and his thorough investigation into organ harvesting in China add an authoritative, powerful layer to the narrative. His commitment to revealing the truth adds credible weight to the film, making it a formidable critique of China's authoritarian regime.

The film showcases the sobering journey of two practitioners of Falun Gong — Chinese mother Jennifer Zeng and American citizen Dr. Charles Lee. Their stories create an intimate narrative of their struggle, survival, and resilience against untold adversity, illuminating the human cost of the oppressive anti-Falun Gong campaign led by the Chinese government. The film doesn't shy away from Zeng's year-long detention in a labor camp, nor Lee's incarceration, where he was coerced into creating propaganda materials against his beliefs. Their stories are refreshingly raw, filled with vulnerability, perseverance, and, most importantly, the courage to believe and stand by their principles.

Free China: The Courage to Believe is not just about the horrific experiences of Zeng and Lee. Instead, it does a remarkable job of examining the broader context and the potential economic and social implications of China's actions on the world. One topic it touches on is the allurement of China's vast market for Western companies and the accompanying ethical costs. Perlman uses this thread of the narrative to succinctly pose a debate about the clash between economic interests and humanitarian priorities on a global scale.

The documentary also deflates the concept of the Chinese economic "miracle" by pointing out labor camps' operations, providing worrying insights into severe human rights infringements, forced labor, and disturbing allegations of organ harvesting. Its revelation of these deeply rooted societal and governmental ills in Chinese society makes it a thought-provoking project.

Free China: The Courage to Believe is an enlightening yet sobering watch, examining the toll of routine human rights abuses in China and unjust suppression of peaceful spiritual practice. Its presentation of personal experiences intertwined with socio-political commentary makes it both a hauntingly personal and universally relatable film. Gutmann's research and Kilgour's advocacy bolster the narrative throughout, lending it the necessary gravitas.

More than just a documentary, it poses thought-provoking questions about global complicity in China's human rights abuses, sparking a conversation on the social responsibilities we all share. Its poignant, personal narratives and incisive socio-political examination ensure that its message reverberates long after the credits roll. With Free China: The Courage to Believe, Michael Perlman manages to create a document of resilience, courage, and above all, belief in the most trying conditions. It is a testament to the human spirit, a wake-up call to pay attention to underreported humanitarian crises, and a potent voice in the worldwide conversation on human rights.