Letter from Masanjia - FREE SCREENING - Oct 31

Join us for a powerful and eye-opening screening of the documentary Letter from Masanjia. This acclaimed film tells the true story of a Chinese political prisoner who sends a heartfelt letter to the West, igniting a global movement for human rights and freedom.

*Letter from Masanjia* begins when mother of two, Julie Keith, finds an SOS note in a box of “Made in China” Halloween decorations from an Oregon Kmart. The desperate note was written by a political prisoner named Sun Yi, from inside China’s notorious Masanjia labor camp. On the crumpled page that traveled over 5,000 miles, he details being jailed for his spiritual beliefs and the torture and brainwashing tactics he endures. His message goes viral and miraculously leads to the closure of China’s entire labor camp system, but their story is far from over.

Peabody-winning Canadian filmmaker Leon Lee is not welcome in his native country due to his prior films about China’s human rights abuses. In Letter from Masanjia, he teaches Sun Yi to use camera equipment via Skype. For over a year, Sun Yi secretly captures harrowing footage of his daily life as a human rights defender, culminating in his tense escape from Chinese authorities. Meanwhile, just outside Portland, Julie Keith grapples with her own challenges as a mother newly involved in this vital cause. Together, these unlikely heroes expose the ongoing persecution of millions in China whose beliefs differ from those of the government.

Official website: http://letterfrommasanjia.com/

Runtime: 75mins

Can't join us on the night? Stream it from Vimeo or check the official website for more options to watch.

Admission: Donation at the door

This event is FREE but we appreciate your support to make this and future events possible and open to all. Bring your friends and family to enjoy an evening of inspiration and awareness.

Location Details:

Room TD121, TD Tafe Building(cnr John St and Park St), Swinburne University, Hawthorn Campus, John Street, Hawthorn.

Parking nearby on Park Street

Agenda:

• 7:00pm-7:15pm | Registration
• 7:15pm-8:30pm | Film screening
• 8:30pm-9:00pm | Discussion
• 9:00pm-9:30pm | Refreshments

Don’t miss this opportunity to witness a compelling story that resonates with our shared commitment to human rights. We look forward to seeing you there!

During production on my previous documentary about human rights in China, I became interested in the story of a Chinese political prisoner who made international headlines when his SOS note was found in Oregon. I put the word out through my personal network of activists and dissidents in China that I was looking for the letter-writer. When I found him, a soft-spoken engineer named Sun Yi, he was already working on an autobiographical book. He had heard of my films and was eager to reach a wider audience, so he was very interested in making a documentary. My previous work and strong connections to the community made it possible for him to trust me, and we quickly joined forces to create this film together. There was one major roadblock: Because I am considered a Chinese dissident I would not be able to travel to China to film. So Sun Yi suggested that he do it himself despite having no experience. I helped him purchase the equipment he would need, advised him on how to assemble a team, coached him on technique and then directed the project over Skype.

For two years, I worked this way with Sun Yi detailing his entire story. Through the gritty, handheld and cellphone footage, viewers can go deep inside his dangerous world and follow closely as he embarks on this difficult journey. The hidden camera footage conveys the urgency and realism of his story, exploring the difficult daily reality for Chinese human rights defenders. As I got to know Sun Yi more, I discovered that he was an extremely talented artist. He kept a sketchbook detailing some of the darkest moments he experienced in the Masanjia Labor camp. Using these drawings as a starting point, animated sequences were created to provide a visual and emotional account of his memories of Masanjia, something that could never be captured on film but is so important to share.

My hope is that this film will open people’s eyes to how the Chinese government truly treats its citizens and that the footage Sun Yi risked his life for becomes a tool to create awareness and put an end to the persecution of dissidents in China.

Leon Lee is an award-winning Canadian filmmaker who shines a light on human rights abuses in China. His debut documentary Human Harvest, which was eight years in the making, exposed China’s illegal organ trade. It has been viewed by millions worldwide and received a coveted Peabody Award and an Association of International Broadcasters Award for Investigative Journalism. Lee’s recent documentary Letter from Masanjia premiered at Hot Docs 2018 and has since won numerous awards at festivals worldwide. His goal as a filmmaker is to shine a light on personal true stories that resonate beyond language and culture, giving a voice to the voiceless.

• Canadian Screen Awards Nomination: Ted Rogers Best Feature Documentary
• Nominated for 6 Leo Awards: Best Documentary Feature, Best Direction, Best Editing, Best Writing, Best Sound, Best Music
• Cambridge Film Festival: Silver Punt Audience Award for Best Documentary
• St. Louis International Film Festival: Best Feature Documentary
• Hot Docs: Top 20 Audience Favorite
• Calgary International Film Festival: Audience Award for Canadian Documentary
• Chagrin Falls Documentary Film Festival: Jury Award for International Documentary
• Tallgrass Film Festival: Outstanding Animated Film

Host or Publisher Human Rights Documentary Screenings Melbourne