Original subtitles

[car honking]

TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY

[Wang] Li!

-Good morning. -Morning.

-Have a bite. -I'm not hungry.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

-Okay. -[Xia] Come on.

It's too early for you two to act so lovey-dovey.

[Li giggles]

Jun!

[Wang] At least you remembered this time.

[Xia] It's not funny! I just forgot about it.

-[Wang] Ah, this trick again? -[Li] Go!

[Xia giggling]

-[Xia] You guys are too slow! -[Wang] We'll see.

-[Xia] Go! Go! -We're winning!

Come on!

Go!

[all exclaiming]

[muted]

-Hi. -Hi.

-It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Davis. -You can call me Daniel.

Are you the assistant they hired?

-Yes, and I'm so grateful... -Great.

...to have the chance to work with you.

-Yeah. -I've read so much of your work.

It's really remarkable. The coverage of '89 in particular.

Uh, no, I don't do that sort of thing anymore.

Well, the writing was excellent.

I can't tell you how much I've learned from you already.

-Where'd you park? -Reading your student interviews

-in particular was so educational-- -What'd you say your name was again?

-Min. -Min. So nice to meet you.

We'll have plenty of time to talk about writing later.

But I want to get the hell out of this airport.

I've been on a plane for 16 hours.

-Of course, of course, this way. -Yeah. Okay.

[bird singing]

Jun, why haven't you left yet?

You look so pretty today.

I wanted to keep watching.

-[Wang] So sweet all of a sudden. -[laughing]

I can't believe you get up early every day for this.

What's the point?

It's good for the mind and body.

[Wang] Let me show you.

Falun Gong has five sets of exercises.

It takes two hours to do them.

That's it?

Well, the movements are easy to learn. But the key is to follow the principles

of Truth, Compassion, and Tolerance. That's not so easy.

You think you can handle it?

-Of course. -Give it a try?

-Okay. -Let's get started.

[soft Falun Gong exercises music playing]

FALUN GONG FREE TEACHING

What do you think of this?

Falun Gong?

It's certainly popular.

It seems like everyone is a practitioner these days.

100 million.

Wow. They have more members than the Party!

[watch ticking]

[cars honking]

Do something. Secretary Yang has an important meeting to get to.

[phone rings]

Yes, sir.

[motorcycle engine approaching]

[motorcycle brakes]

[traffic controller] You! Move up.

Get out of here.

[suspenseful music]

[traffic controller] Keep moving.

[watch ticking]

[current meter beeping]

-[loud bang] -[groans]

Are you trying to electrocute me?

Wait.

The results from the beta test are back.

I don't think our system can produce these results.

Everybody tweaks their data.

No one will be able to tell.

But we are lying.

If we submit the real results, we won't get the grant.

Now that you're practicing, you have to be honest.

All right.

Oh, yes!

-I can't eat anything anymore, Mr. Gao! -Yes.

You're going to feed me to death!

Come on, no, we're just getting started.

I've got ten years to make up for.

I knew I missed this man for a reason. [chuckles]

I'm just curious. Why did you take this job?

I think it was your coverage of June 4th.

Oh.

You stood up for something

and you took a risk to give a voice to those students.

The student I interviewed was killed.

Did you know that?

I suppose I assumed.

I'm sure to you, right now, journalism feels like

the most urgent work a person can do.

But the world forgets.

And forgets quickly.

Our lab was denied the grant.

Something wrong with the data, I heard.

You know I am a Falun Gong practitioner.

I can't abandon truth just for convenience.

I have heard rumors.

The higher-ups may take action against Falun Gong.

You have to be careful.

That's impossible.

The government has been very supportive.

Many Party members practice.

That's exactly the issue.

Falun Gong teaches us to be a good person.

The more people who practice, the better, right?

Maybe I overreacted.

All right, I'll let you go.

Okay.

[slow suspenseful music]

[sigh]

[projector clicks]

It's clearly getting out of control.

Secretary Yang, the Party is counting on you.

I pulled an all-nighter.

What's going on?

What happened?

You're so late today.

Dozens of practitioners were arrested and beaten in Tianjin.

What?

This has to be a misunderstanding.

The Tianjin government told the practitioners to come to Beijing.

Why come to Beijing?

We should go to the Appeals Office and file an appeal.

Yes, yes, let's go!

[sighs] I don't think it's that simple.

My father's unit participated in the crackdown in '89.

He warned me to stay away from this sort of thing.

We're good people.

What do we have to worry about?

We want to report the situation to the Appeals Office.

-Anybody want to go? -Sure, yes.

Okay. Let's go.

There are so many people.

Let's go to the gate.

This is unbelievable.

This has got to be the largest demonstration since '89.

So quiet.

Hey!

-[groans] -Come with me.

Wait, wait, no. I'm allowed to be here.

Sir, I have a press pass. A press pass.

-Doesn't matter, come with me now. -You can't do that.

I have credentials to be here.

-Hello, everyone. -Hello.

I am from the Appeals Office.

We would like to speak to your organizers.

We have no organizers. We've all come voluntarily.

Some of you must volunteer.

We cannot speak with all of you.

I will go.

And I.

-I will go too. -I will go too.

[man] I will go too.

Fine. You five, come with me.

-[suspenseful music] -Excuse me. Thank you.

[speaker] Please have a seat.

We're here to find out about the arrest in Tianjin.

We're looking into this incident.

There might be some misunderstanding...

[watch ticking]

[Zhu] It's good to see you again, Daniel.

I wasn't sure you'd be back.

-[chuckles] Neither was I. -[chuckles]

You've been away for a long time, Daniel.

Many things have changed.

Perhaps you have changed, too?

Being hauled into a van

in the middle of the night and driven to the airport

with no warning will alter a person's worldview.

But that's in the past.

I came back to work on a book about traditional Chinese culture.

Our expectations are clear.

You're a guest here.

China is home to me.

All the more reason to highlight its triumphs.

I don't see why that would be an issue.

Good to have you back.

Thank you!

Thank you for coming.

Please tell everyone to go home.

Of course.

That's great!

The officials have confirmed that the government

has never banned any kind of qigong.

And they have assured us the practitioners will be released.

We can go home now.

[applauding and cheering]

Great!

All resolved.

Let's go.

[over TV] On April 25, 1999

over ten thousand Falun Gong members

besieged the headquarters of the Chinese Communist Party.

It was a vicious attack against the Party.

They severely interfered with government operations

and gravely disrupted social order.

This is the most serious political incident

since the 1989 riots in Tiananmen Square...

What's going on?

It was a trap.

[over TV] The government declares

Falun Dafa Association and Falun Gong illegal.

Wang.

[over TV] They are officially banned.

CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY CENTRAL COMMITTEE DIRECTIVE

[police siren wailing]

[man] Get in the car!

Move it!

Hurry up.

[fire crackling]

-[Yang] Incredible, isn't it? -It is...

[Yang] You seem unsure.

Of course, I support the Party.

I just wonder

if Falun Gong is threatening enough to warrant all of this.

[crickets chirping]

If Falun Gong wins the people's hearts,

who will be left to follow the Party?

Of course, of course.

[Yang] Opportunities like this

don't come around often.

It's up to you to make the most of it.

What's wrong?

Jun? Jun?

Wang.

Come in.

Wang, I know you're under a lot of pressure.

You are a bright star at Tsinghua.

I won't make it difficult for you.

Just sign this.

Nobody needs to know.

All of the trouble will be behind you.

[sighs]

The Ministry of Education has issued a directive.

Anyone who refuses to denounce Falun Gong will be expelled.

You are about to complete your PhD.

This is your life. Think about it carefully.

Everything here...

It's all a lie. "Anti-science, anti-human, and anti-society..."

"I denounce and condemn Falun Gong."

How can I possibly sign this?

The Party has determined the nature of Falun Gong.

As a student Party leader, you of all people should follow the Party.

Secretary, will you tell the truth?

The practitioners in our school, does anyone fit the portrayal in the media?

You are a Party member and so am I.

I dare to speak the truth.

But you don't!

Wang, who do you think you are talking to?

Secretary Wu,

could we have a moment alone?

[sighs]

Wang...

...you are the age my son was when he was killed.

He was exactly like you.

Smart

and stubborn.

I...

I regret every day.

He was pushing his bike out the door.

I should have tried harder to stop him.

Even if I had to break his legs

and take care of him for the rest of his life.

So he was killed...

-...during the riot--? -Riot?

It was a peaceful appeal made by students.

They labeled it a riot

and launched a massacre.

Now the Party is using the same tactic against Falun Gong.

I...

I don't want to lose another son.

It's just a formality.

Nobody knows what you really believe.

I would know!

You can lie to others, but you can't lie to yourself.

[Jun sighs]

Bro, you really want to give up your future?

If we aren't free to say what we want,

to be who we are, what is anything worth?

You're so idealistic!

Even if you sacrifice everything, you are just one person.

What can you change, alone?

At least I can remain unchanged.

[VCR player taking in a tape]

[over TV] In the late '90s, Chinese government

surveys said up to 100 million people were practicing Falun Gong daily.

Health bills were decreasing, crime rates were falling,

and morality was rising.

After 50 years of political campaigns to destroy traditional beliefs...

[groans]

...any revival of spirituality was seen as a threat to communist rule.

Falun Gong stood in stark contrast with communist ideology.

Do you still practice Falun Gong?

Yes.

[over TV] So it would be very hard for it to be

tolerated by the CCP.

-[thud] -[groans]

[over TV] It is literally life and death

for many of the upper echelon of the party members

that run China to not let the Falun Gong stories be told.

-[loud thud] -[blood dripping]

[over TV] Falun Gong has been exemplary

in its response. It has never dealt with violence in a violent way.

It's always responded with forbearance, with love with truth, with patience.

And ultimately, that's going to prevail.

[dramatic music]

This is it then.

Please, be careful.

You don't always have to be on the front lines.

It doesn't have to be your battle.

And, don't be forgetful.

Got it.

Take care of yourself.

Xia.

I hope neither of us regrets this.

[dark dramatic music]

A man viciously murdered his parents in Renqiu, Hebei Province.

The murderer turns out to be a Falun Gong member, Fu Changjiu.

Why did you kill your parents?

When a person lives, he suffers.

As soon as he dies, there is nothing, which is a blessing.

If I don't kill them, they suffer.

Where did you learn this?

Falun Gong.

I learned from Falun Gong.

[interview muffled]

We offered to reduce his sentence

from the death penalty to fifteen years.

He was willing to say anything.

Good work.

[sighs with relief]

Your father has arranged for your transfer to Fudan University.

I don't want to go back to Shanghai.

It's too dangerous here.

This is where my life is.

What about my friends?

What about Wang--

That's enough! We are not negotiating.

If you do not come back to Shanghai, I will cut you off.

I will no longer pay your rent, or your tuition.

It's up to you.

[sad music]

[cell phone ringing]

[weeping]

[ringing continues]

[phone beeps]

[weeping quietly]

[automated voicemail] The number you dialled cannot be

connected, please call again later.

[hangs up the phone]

[interviewer] We don't welcome Falun Gong here.

[traffic humming]

[thunder clapping]

[car honking]

[groans]

[ambulance siren in distance]

[sad piano music]

[ambulance siren getting louder]

[man] Three, two, one.

[camera clicks]

[woman] Congratulations!

-Thank you. -Thank you.

I can't believe you two just got married.

Of course.

She fell right into my trap!

-What? -[laughs]

[laughter]

Wait.

Xia.

Don't overthink it.

I think Jun's just busy.

Why mention him? I'm fine.

Look what I brought you.

I wish you a long life of happiness together.

May your babies come early!

Thank you.

This is...

You actually meant the part about the babies.

[all laugh]

You're the boss, we will do as you say.

Wait

Yes?

How dare they?

FALUN GONG PRACTITIONER FU CHANGJIU KILLS PARENTS

[Li] And people will believe it.

[Xia] This is terrible.

The suppression is only going to get worse.

We have to make sure people know the truth.

[suspenseful music]

[camera clicks]

[triumphant music]

RESTORE THE REPUTATION OF FALUN GONG

[camera clicks]

[crowd chattering]

FALUN DAFA IS GOOD

[cars honking]

[suspenseful music continues]

[police siren wailing]

[Police Officer] Stop!

Stop!

Stop!

Stop!

[camera clicks]

Hey, hey, hey, stop! No photo.

I'm a reporter with Chicago Post. Chicago Post.

-No photo! -No photo. No photo. No photo.

[Police Officer] Stop!

Stop!

[screams and groans]

Let go of me!

-[head bangs loudly on the car] -[groans]

[crows cawing in distance]

[iron door squeaks]

[whimpering]

[suspenseful music]

[groans painfully]

[Yang coughs]

[gasps]

Who organized this protest?

Please don't do this. [cries]

[fabric tearing]

Please don't. Please... [begging in tears]

Please don't... [crying]

[screaming]

[screaming continues]

Please stop. I will tell you everything.

[crying loudly]

[sorrowful string music]

It's Wang Boyu and Li Yueyao.

[sobbing]

[police siren wailing]

[suspenseful music]

[doorknob rattling]

[both panting]

Pay the balance quickly,

or move out.

Got it.

Thank you.

Have some water.

Thank you.

I can't imagine what Xia is going through right now.

[phone ringing]

-Patrick Lane. -Hey, Patrick.

Daniel. Secure line?

That doesn't sound good.

[machine whirring]

We're good on my end.

So, what have you got for me?

[static noise]

I think we need to reconsider how we cover this Falun Gong. I--

Before you waste your time trying to pitch it,

people upstairs aren't going to be too happy if

-if you go rogue on us. -Yeah, I know. But, Patrick,

why did you get into this business in the first place?

-Okay? I don't think it was to appease-- -You begged me

to get you back there. Whatever it took.

-Yeah, I know, I, I get that, but-- -Do you get it?

Because I feel like

I'm having to remind you that you spent the last ten years

trying to claw your way back into the goddam country

-and now it's like-- -Yeah, yeah.

I got it. I said I got it. I got it.

-Okay. -So. The regular beat.

How about a piece on China's efforts to join the WTO?

Okay, talk soon.

Go fuck yourself.

This banner incident has tarnished the reputation

of Tsinghua University like nothing before.

We have been asked to carefully review

and reveal anyone linked to these criminals.

Jun,

please come to the front.

These people are your friends.

I want you to discuss

how they abandoned their studies

after they joined Falun Gong.

Wang was a team leader in our laboratory.

He was always ready to help others.

He studied hard to achieve high grades.

Since his obsession with Falun Gong began,

he was only interested in "seeking perfection"

and achieving a "higher level," which affected his work,

and lead to the detriment of the entire lab.

When the Party wisely decided to ban Falun Gong,

Wang refused to repent.

He lost everything.

Including his status at a school

that most are lucky to attend.

He was led astray from his normal life,

step by step, into the mind control of Falun Gong.

Let me elaborate further.

Wang not only ruined his own future,

he also abetted Li and Xia in disrupting social order.

Now Xia has been arrested.

[muffled chattering]

Xia was arrested?

Wang and Li will soon be brought to justice as well.

It is heartbreaking.

Jun, tell us how she used your relationship

to tempt you to join Falun Gong.

She's not like that.

-What did you say? -She's not like that.

This university has given you the opportunity to redeem yourself.

Do you still protect Falun Gong members?

You must denounce her and expose her crimes,

or you are the same as her.

Secretary, Xia is nothing like what you said.

Jun!

[Daniel] It's a replica. But it's gorgeous.

[Min] It's beautiful.

This is really stunning. I love it.

[oriental music playing in the background]

-You're not gonna buy it? -No. [chuckles]

If I bought every beautiful piece I saw I'd be crushed to death by antiques.

Hey, listen, um, I want to show you this gallery.

It's right around the corner, okay? Before it closes. There's a piece there...

-Thank you, okay, bye-bye, bye. -Thank you, bye-bye.

[unintelligible chatter]

[laughter]

[camera clicks]

No peeking.

Okay.

Be careful.

-Are you ready? -Yes.

[soft music]

How did you afford all of this?

I got a job!

I told you, you don't need to worry.

[Wang] It's not safe over the phone.

Let's talk when we meet.

Okay.

[soft music continues]

[Wang] We looked everywhere for Xia.

The police, detention centers...

All the places I could think of.

As soon as they heard Falun Gong,

they either hung up immediately or repeated the propaganda.

I want to hang banners with you.

It's too risky now.

What can we do, then?

We can't just sit by and watch everyone be lied to.

What about flyers?

We could hand deliver them and reach more people.

[regurgitates]

Li?

[suspenseful music]

Li? Are you all right?

[vomiting]

Are you all right?

I'm fine.

[water running]

[elevator dings]

[suspenseful music continues]

[instructor] Breathe...

Wait.

Thank you.

Who are you? What are you doing?

Is your refrigerator broken?

No.

This is Unit 301, #18?

This is #16. #18 is over there.

Sorry. Wrong place, then.

Falun Gong!

This man is Falun Gong!

This man is Falun Gong!

Hello, I need four boxes of paper.

You've got a cruel boss

for sending a woman in your condition on an errand like this.

It's okay. I have nothing to do at home anyway.

How should I write the invoice for your company?

I don't need one. I'll be paying cash.

Of course.

Can you wait here? I'll get what you need from the warehouse.

Thank you.

[suspenseful music]

[unintelligible chatter]

NOTICE OF ASSISTED INVESTIGATION

[panting]

[grunting]

[water dripping]

[panting]

Backdoor!

[groans]

-Hospital. Hurry up! -No problem!

[cell phone ringing]

[man] Get to your mailbox?

No, no.

I forgot something.

[sobbing]

[automatic message on cell phone]

Wang!

Dad!

Where have you been?

I was...

-I'm so sorry-- -You put your pregnant wife in danger.

I entrusted my daughter to you.

You cannot treat her like this.

I had to pull some strings just to get her into this hospital safely.

Hoping the police won't show up.

[baby moaning]

I'm so, so sorry I was late.

Mom,

can you hold her?

[baby crying]

Li,

I'm so sorry.

Why didn't you pick up the phone?

[soft piano music]

I'm so sorry.

I thought something happened to you.

I know.

I'm very sorry.

Let's not do something like this again.

Okay?

I know.

[jazz music playing]

Min!

Hank, Susan, this is Min.

Best assistant I've ever had.

-Oh, this is for me? -Yes, but you should open it later--

No, no, no.

-Open this now. -Okay.

What could this be?

Oh, my god!

You went back for this?

Min!

-Happy birthday! -This is so thoughtful. I, I...

Well, you did just say I'm the best assistant you've ever had--

Forget about me being your boss, I mean, this is...

This is the nicest gift I've received in a long time.

Come here. Come here.

Hey guys, Min is a, an emerging journalist.

-Hank and Susan work for CNN. -Hi.

-Hi, Min. -Very good to meet you.

[Jun] Wang.

[soft music]

[whirring]

Wind speed is 7 km/h at 258 degrees.

Speed at 7.

258.

38!

[air hissing]

[triumphant music]

[Wang] Fly high!

[crowd chattering]

[balloons popping]

What's that?

[flyers cutting the air]

[reading unintelligibly]

Look at this. Look at this.

"Fu Changjiu has never had any affiliation with Falun Gong.

Furthermore, our practice vehemently prohibits killing of any kind."

I told you this was all propaganda!

Of course they would deny his involvement.

Who wants to be associated with murder?

Nobody risks their lives to lie.

We've got to talk to this guy.

What are you gonna do?

Walk into the prison and demand to see him?

No.

I'm not.

THE WHOLE NATION IS AGAINST HERETICAL RELIGIONS

We're very impressed with your efforts, Secretary Yang.

We feared you were up against too much.

I'm glad you proved us wrong.

Thank you, leaders, for your trust.

Excuse me, but there are Falun Gong flyers falling from the sky.

[flyers cutting the air]

[suspenseful music]

[sighs]

-Relative's name? -Fu Changjiu.

Fu was executed.

-What? -No one contacted you?

I thought he was given fifteen years?

There was probably a retrial.

Get Zhu.

Yes, sir.

Director Zhu, he needs to see you right away.

Yes.

[suspenseful music]

[sighs]

[watch ticking]

[muted]

[watch ticking continues]

[over TV] January 23, 2001,

is the Chinese New Year's Eve.

Two self-immolations occurred near the People's Heroes Monument.

One person died at the scene and four people were burned.

Two others were stopped by police.

They are all Falun Gong practitioners from Kaifeng city.

The person who died is Liu Chunling. In order to ascend to heaven,

they were willing to give up their lives.

It's nonsense!

All that work we did, trying to change people's minds?

What is going on?

You wouldn't be doing this.

Mom, suicide is a sin.

How can you believe this?

Who are they?

[over TV] It has been proven that Falun Gong harms

lives and endangers society.

For the sake of people's peace and society's peace,

It must be resolutely eradicated.

It must be resolutely eradicated...

...resolutely eradicated.

We interviewed the organizer of the self-immolation, Liu Fang.

The self-immolation was for ascension to heaven.

Why didn't you light yourself?

As they were burning, I wondered why they did not ascend to heaven.

Later, I figured it out.

Because their practice hadn't reached the highest level,

they couldn't ascend.

The Chinese government's ban of Falun Gong

has been warmly embraced by the general public.

[TV continues]

[suspenseful music]

This unit!

[police siren in distance]

Why am I under arrest? I did nothing wrong--

Shut up. Move it.

Hurry up.

They are Falun Gong.

They deserve it.

[all applauding]

[over TV] The woman who died is from Kaifeng,

a Falun Gong member, named Liu Chunling.

The black smoke rising from her can be clearly seen

on this footage captured by CNN.

They said they got this footage from CNN.

That's not hard to confirm.

[dials on the phone]

[cell phone rings]

-Daniel? -Hey, Susan. Congratulations!

That's a hell of a shot Hank got, I've been watching it on the news all day.

That's not our shot, Daniel.

We were arrested as soon as the fire began.

We have no idea where it came from. But no one at CNN shot that footage.

I think they just wanted us to catch a glimpse.

Just enough

to prove it happened. Anyway, about to shoot.

-I got to go. -Okay, yeah. All right, take care.

Who shot the tape?

It's obviously a handheld camera,

close enough to pick up his words.

But how were they right there when it happened?

Unless they knew it was going to happen.

I think we should be cautious pushing this, Daniel.

Or even worse, they set it up.

This could mean that the government is conducting

one of the largest-scale propaganda campaigns in history.

You just want to ignore it?

What happened to "standing up for what's right"?

Why are you so adamant about bringing trouble onto yourself?

People are being hurt,

they're being killed, they're being jailed.

If we don't act,

if journalism isn't for this, then what's the point of doing it at all?

But what if you get kicked out again?

What if you never come back?

Sometimes you have to compromise things you believe in to protect yourself.

Min.

[Patrick] How many times do we need

to go over this, Daniel?

-This is not worth the risk. -These people,

I cannot sit by and watch them be manipulated

-into turning against each other-- -Daniel!

Take a deep breath.

Look at this situation logically, okay?

-I-- -You can't blow up your reputation there.

Who could you help if you get kicked out again?

Be smart, okay?

-What's the smart thing to do here? -Well, I--

-[glass shattering] -Oh, shit!

Dan.

Are you there?

Oh, God.

Dan.

Did I lose you?

-Dan! -No, no, I'm still here.

Just thinking.

[Daniel] Sorry, Pat.

I just dropped my favorite teapot. Damn it.

Hang on a second.

Yeah, you know what?

You're right. I've got

my book to focus on, and building my career.

What's the point of getting involved in something I'm not concerned with.

[Patrick] I'm happy to hear that.

Why not take a trip or something?

-Relax. -Yeah.

Talk later.

[hangs up the phone]

[suspenseful music]

[Daniel] What are you looking for?

Invoices, for taxes.

Right where they've always been.

Ha!

You know, I was thinking about getting out of town.

Maybe visiting some historical cities.

For the book.

That's a good idea. Xi'an?

Lesser known places, maybe.

Ones that aren't written about.

Right. Maybe Luoyang?

It's known as the region where Chinese civilization originated.

I was hoping for somewhere known for its food.

-What do you think? -Of course you are. Maybe Kaifeng?

It's not far from Luoyang.

Two for the price of one.

Sold.

-You'll book the tickets? -Of course.

[car brake screeching]

You missed your report yesterday.

Nothing important happened, really, we just--

It's not for you to decide what is important or not.

Do I need to remind you what the consequences are?

I'll be charged for being an accomplice

if Daniel endangers national security.

That's right.

So tell me,

what unimportant things happened today?

He left for a trip. To Luoyang and Kaifeng.

Why Kaifeng?

I suggested it.

He asked for ancient cities.

[suspenseful music]

Send someone to Kaifeng.

Enjoy your meal.

Hi, your meal is ready.

Hello.

I want this, this and this.

These foreigners... Why?

[turns up the radio volume]

Do you know her?

Yes. Liu Chunling.

She lived nearby.

Had you ever known her to practice Falun Gong?

No, no.

She is a prostitute in a night club.

Really?

Of course.

You don't believe me? Ask Sun.

They've been neighbors for years.

Ah, Liu Chunling!

She is sick here.

She beats her mother at every turn.

Thank you. Take care.

[radio playing inside the car]

[Wang] Stop there.

Play it again, but slow.

There!

-Someone hit her over the head, right? -Where?

There it is!

Oh, God.

They wanted to make sure she was dead.

[cell phone ringing]

Hello?

Where is she?

[knocks the door]

-Xia-- -You...

...come in.

[Li] Thank you.

Xia.

I'm ashamed...

...to be in front of you.

I, I told them everything.

But, but I have to tell you something very important.

The Tiananmen self-immolation is fake.

What? How do you know?

Remember Liu Fang, the so-called organizer?

I saw him in the detention center.

What's going on?

We were forced to watch the video over and over.

I swear I could recite it.

I was working, one day...

[man] Don't worry, Liu.

You'll be bailed out soon enough.

[Liu] Whatever the Party wants.

[man] You've done your country a great service.

Where did you find them, anyway?

[Liu] You know I can't talk about that.

[man] Of course.

Let's have a smoke.

Liu, what a bold plan. Incredible.

[Jun] Isn't this proof?

It's not enough.

But it's a start.

Xia,

Would you be willing to talk to a reporter?

Yes.

But who dares to expose this?

I might know someone.

-How was the trip? -It was wonderful.

You were...

You were right about the food.

Was it worth the journey?

Yeah, it was...

...well worth it.

[typing on the keyboard]

[message notification beeps]

[suspenseful music]

[message notification beeps]

[suspenseful music continues]

[computer beeps]

[metal clanking]

[metal clanking]

[tools rattling]

[plumbers tools working]

[suspenseful music continues]

[baby moaning]

What are you doing?

Uh...

Homework.

Tsinghua University? Impressive.

What are you studying?

City planning.

Continue with your studies then.

All done for today, actually!

Watch it!

Falun Gong! This man is Falun Gong!

[intense music]

[body thuds]

[groans]

[baby cries]

Wang! Jun was arrested!

-What? -Pack up!

-Get the diapers! -Okay.

Hurry!

NO FALUN GONG

[train rumbling]

[distant police siren]

[baby crying]

Sit down and rest for a bit.

I know. You're hungry.

It's almost ready.

It's okay. Don't cry.

The bottle is almost ready.

It's okay. Don't cry. The bottle's here.

[baby cries louder]

Can you find the diapers?

Oh, no. I forgot them.

I've specifically told you to bring the diapers!

I panicked. I forgot.

How come you didn't forget that garbage for your detector?

We need this for tomorrow, it's integral to the plan.

You still want to go tomorrow?

Finally there's a foreign reporter interested in our story.

This could change everything!

How can we give up?

What if you're arrested too?

What about our baby?

What about me?

Li

Tell me.

[sorrowful music]

Wang.

You need to make a choice. Right now.

Do you want me and the baby...

...or do you want to go tomorrow?

Li, please don't do this.

It's late. Where are you going?

Li.

Where are you going?

Li.

Li, let's go back and talk.

Where are you going with the baby?

Li!

-Li. -Stop the car! Stop the car!

Will you just listen to me?

Li. Li.

Li!

[suspenseful music]

[Jun grunting]

How busy you are.

Tell me, where's Wang?

What are you up to?

[machine whirring]

-[electricity crackling] -[screaming loudly]

[sobbing]

[Jun's screaming echoes in the background]

[Yang] Tell me.

What exactly is your plan?

[screaming]

[groaning]

[machine whirring louder]

-[electricity crackling faster] -[Jun screaming]

[screaming]

Last chance.

[Jun painting]

[loud whirring]

[electricity crackling loudly and rapidly]

[discontinuous screaming fades]

[sizzling]

[phone ringing]

[Wang] I shouldn't have let him go.

[Xia] It's not your fault.

[Wang] If I went that day,

Jun wouldn't have been arrested.

Those police killed him, not you.

But he died. Nothing we do will bring him back.

They killed Jun...

...because he didn't tell them the plan.

Wang.

Wang.

Wang!

[sobbing]

He wanted us to proceed.

Do you want him to die for nothing?

No.

I can't allow them to take you back.

You've suffered enough.

[chokes]

[both weeping]

Let me tell you something.

They tortured me...

...in all kinds of ways in prison.

[gentle music]

Countless times, I thought about hitting my head

against the wall and ending it all.

But I told myself to hold on.

I must get out of here alive.

I must expose their crimes to the world.

Now I'm out.

But many people are still locked inside.

I will go tomorrow,

even if it's by myself.

[train rumbling]

[train station announcement in the background]

[station announcer] Passengers for train E-13

to Shanghai, please go aboard at platform...

Hi, I was hoping to get a plumber sent to my apartment as soon as possible.

Great.

Okay. Yes.

I can meet you there.

Okay. Thanks.

I have to go meet a plumber.

[Min] See you tomorrow!

[dials on the phone]

[suspenseful music]

-Hey, you the plumbers? -Yes.

Thanks for coming on such short notice.

Sorry in advance. It's a really big job.

It's right up here.

[traffic humming]

I was having trouble flushing it.

A few days ago. And now it's completely broken.

-Looks like a big job. -Yeah.

How long do you think it will take?

A few hours, probably.

-All right, well, you better get started. -Okay.

[plumbers tools over the speaker]

[recorder beeps]

-Okay. Hi. -Hi.

I want you to tell me everything

about the confession you overheard in prison.

Okay? It might be hard. But the details are important.

[plumbers tools working]

He's really just getting his toilet fixed.

This tip is a bust.

They tortured me so many times.

One day...

...they took off all of my clothes,

and threw me into a men's cell

until morning.

[Daniel] Is there anything else you want to add?

I would like to use my real name to add credibility.

Okay. All right. I--

I have arranged for you to leave China tomorrow.

No, no, I want to stay.

For change.

Are you sure? That's a big risk.

[baby crying over the speaker]

Wait a second.

How come there's a baby crying?

[intense music]

We gotta go! We gotta go!

We gotta go now!

-Daniel, the tape recorder. -Why?

-Do you have a cable? -Yes.

It'll make them think we're still in the apartment.

-Okay. -Shut down the elevators!

Here.

[Daniel] Come on, come on, come on.

[interview audio playing over the speaker]

Okay, let's go.

Hurry up!

They are still in the apartment!

[running footsteps]

[indistinct talk over police radio]

See...

-This is where we keep the hose... -Yeah.

-And you get... -Yeah.

Let me check.

Okay, it's clear. Let's go.

[distant muffled radio chatter]

No sign of the target.

No, no way.

Okay, there's a, there's a back door, come on.

No, we're stuck.

Wait right here.

Until you hear them pass. Then go for the back door.

Wait, wait, wait, wait--

Get out of China! As soon as possible.

Get down.

[yells]

Stop!

[sorrowful music]

-[thud] -[screams]

[grunting]

[handcuffs click]

[machine whirring]

-[electricity crackling] -[groaning]

[man] Where is Daniel Davis?

[groaning]

[groaning echoes]

[system beeping]

WANTED - NATIONAL ALERT FOR DANIEL DAVIS

Have you seen this person?

[indistinct chatter]

[Yang] Where is he?

Sir, I really don't know.

I have already given all of the information.

You were very close.

The two of you.

It's hard to believe that he would leave without telling you where he was going.

He was my boss, nothing more.

I swear to you. He left the office to run an errand

and that was the last time I saw him.

[suspenseful music]

I, I really don't know where he is.

It would be in your best interest to find out.

Don't you think?

[iron door opening]

[watch ticking]

If you find Daniel, what will happen to him?

What you should be asking me is,

what will happen to you...

...if he gets away?

[steam iron sizzles]

[screaming]

What are you doing?

[crying]

[groaning]

[iron door closes]

You are not a weak man, Wang.

You have done everything you could.

One needs to know when to retreat to fight another day.

Do you really think an article by a foreigner can save Falun Gong?

Tell me where Daniel is.

You stay alive.

And someday you'll get to hear your child call you "Dad."

At least my child will grow up

knowing that her father

fought for the truth.

The truth?

[sighs]

From what, your little flyers?

There are more than two thousand newspapers nationwide,

circulating to millions every day.

How many flyers do you really think you can print?

[dark music]

One day,

the lies will be seen for what they are.

In the face of the truth,

no matter what misinformation you spread, people will see through it.

Even your military and police may turn against you.

Did it ever occur to you?

Interesting.

I have a question, though.

Do you think you'll get to see that day?

Ask yourself.

You are an evil person in an evil machine.

You'll either be destroyed by power struggles in the Party,

or be brought to justice when the Party eventually falls.

What use will the money and the power be, then?

Everyone is a victim

in a society with no truth or justice.

And you are no exception.

[iron door closes]

Enjoy.

The car is here.

It's time to go.

Thank you. Thank you.

[sobbing]

[soft music]

[leaves rustling in the wind]

Thank you.

[waves lapping]

[triumphant music]

[Daniel] Despite the spread of information

to the Western world, persecution in China

continues to this day.

In fact...

...one of the key sources for this article is in prison,

presumably being tortured,

as I speak to you now.

His name...

...is Wang Boyu.

And more than anyone I've met on this journey,

he embodied the principles of Falun Gong.

Truth.

Compassion.

Tolerance.

He risked everything for them.

[gentle music]

[Daniel] I only hope we will do the same.

Now, there have been some concerns

raised by Western countries.

But little has been done to protect these innocent people.

We must be more like Wang.

We must do everything we can

to bring the truth into the light.

Thank you!

[crowd applauds]

Thank you.

Thank you.

[train station announcement in the background]

[gentle music]

[station announcer] Attention please,

train number E-13 from Beijing

has arrived at Shanghai station.

Well, you won.

We'll get a few diplomatic letters of concern, perhaps.

Then, what?

Soon you'll be executed in secret.

And the world will forget.

They'll forget this article.

And you.

And soon they'll forget Falun Gong altogether.

[cell phone rings]

I see.

Enjoy

your last meal.

[iron door closes]

[suspenseful music]

Secretary Yang! Secretary Yang!

[watch ticking]

[soft music]

Perhaps due to international pressure,

I was eventually sentenced to 8 years in prison.

Those 8 years are supposed to be the prime of one's life.

But for me it was a nightmare I'd rather not remember.

After I was released, my family and I managed to find refuge in the U.S.

However, many practitioners I know are still persecuted in China.

Many religious groups, ethnic minorities

and political dissidents are still suppressed.

The Chinese regime still lies to its own people and to the whole world.

I believe that no matter how powerful lies are,

if we all seek the truth,

insist on the truth and tell the truth,

truth will ultimately prevail.