Mr. Fengsuo Zhou, Chinese democracy and human-rights activist, was joined by Mrs. Li Schoolland and filmmaker Mr. Ben Klein to discuss the documentary
In a post-screening panel joined by The Exiles' documentarian Ben Klein, exiled Chinese human-rights activists Mr. Fengsuo Zhou and Mrs. Li Zhao Schoolland shared experiences and insights from the Chinese democracy movement leading up to the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989.
They discussed the importance of recognizing individual identity within the Chinese community, the connection between the 1989 protests and current resistance in China, and their efforts to support political prisoners. Mr. Zhou also shared stories of dissidents who have been separated from their loved ones for decades due to their activism. The speakers emphasized the need for financial support and media awareness to help political prisoners survive and potentially secure their early release.
They also discussed the Chinese military's strict control over information leading up to the massacre and China's influence on the current administration in the United States. They addressed the tense relationship between China and the United States, with Zhou expressing concerns about China's impact on American policy and society. Overall, the speakers highlighted the importance of international support in the fight for freedom and democracy in China.
They also discussed the Chinese military's strict control over information leading up to the massacre and China's influence on the current administration in the United States. They addressed the tense relationship between China and the United States, with Zhou expressing concerns about China's impact on American policy and society. Overall, the speakers highlighted the importance of international support in the fight for freedom and democracy in China.
- 00:00:00
In this section of the video titled "The (CCP) Exiles" at Anthem
Film FreedomFest '23, Fengsuo Zhou and Mrs. Li Schoolland share
their experiences during the Chinese democracy movement leading up to
the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989. Fengsuo Zhou, formerly a student leader,
recounts watching his classmates die on the streets and being surprised
to find himself on the Chinese government's most wanted list. He felt
proud of his new identity as the voice of the movement and was the first
to arrive and last to leave Tiananmen Square during this historic time.
The courage and dignity displayed by the Chinese people during this
period shocked the world, and voices were heard for the first time from
their own hearts.
- 00:05:00
In this section they
discuss the importance of recognizing individual identity within the
Chinese community despite widespread indoctrination. Zhou shares his
experience of the US government's complicity in the Tiananmen Square
massacre, as former President Bush sent a special envoy to comfort the
Chinese government leader, D, acknowledging guilt and collusion. This
year, the Biden administration sent a high-ranking official to Beijing
on the anniversary without mentioning human rights, normalizing the
massacre. Zhou condemned this and was censored in both Chinese and
English media, but Reuters reported on his comments. The documentary
also highlights a message of hope, as one of the main characters, the
founder of a famous Chinese private company, started a protest on Suon
Bridge last year, which lasted only 30 minutes but was broadcasted
worldwide, demonstrating the power of individual action.
Filmmaker Ben Klein, human rights activists Li Schoolland, and Fengsuo Zhou - 00:10:00 In this section they discuss the connection between the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and current resistance in China. Zhou shares his surprise that the Su on Bridge, a symbol of the protests, still exists and recounts the heroic protest of an individual student during the event. He also mentions the inspiration young protesters draw from the past, with many calling themselves "my duty groups." Zhou then shares the story of an unnamed woman who climbed a tower in Beijing on the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre, holding an American flag and distributing flyers advocating for China to be a country where people want to stay. Despite the risks, there is growing resistance in China, and organizations like the one Zhou works for have been providing support to political prisoners for decades. The speakers express the privilege and inspiration they find in working with these courageous individuals.
