Beijing Spring
Beijing Spring chronicles modern China’s first democracy movement and forgotten struggle for freedom of expression. In 1978, Deng Xiaoping tolerated the open posting of grievances, liberal ideas and art on Democracy Wall near Tiananmen Square.
The “Stars”, a group of self-taught artists (including Ai Weiwei) exposed the inhumanity of the Cultural Revolution and challenged propaganda art, while Wei Jingsheng called for democracy.
By 1979, Deng became fearful and cracked down, closing Democracy Wall, imprisoning some, and shutting the door on this brief period of reform.
One filmmaker, Chi Xiaoning, dared stand on top of Democracy Wall, camera in hand, recording it all.
When he died, no one knew his film’s whereabouts. After years of searching, this never-before-seen footage was tracked down by the film’s director, now shown for the first time ever in Beijing Spring.
These brave voices of this officially censored moment in Chinese history will surely inspire all of today’s freedom fighters.
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