Attendees at recent screenings of the documentary “Unbroken: The Untold Story of Shen Yun” in Hollywood said the film moved them, as they reflected on artistic dedication and were made newly appreciative of the freedoms they often take for granted.
Pamela London Franck attended the screening at AMC The Grove 14 in Los Angeles on Wednesday night. Despite never having seen Shen Yun because of negative reporting around the show, she decided to attend the documentary.
“I am so moved and so grateful to actually see the truth,” Franck said.
She said she hopes the film will clear up misinformation and encourage people to value their freedoms.
“I’m really, really praying that people will see this film and take it to heart, and I think it’s going to really clear up a lot of the misinformation, and it will be motivating for people, just from their heart, to make a change and really maybe pay more attention to our freedoms that we have in this country and ... the freedom that’s being threatened,” she said.
She came away impressed by the passion and sacrifice of the performers.
“The passion of the actual performers, how passionate they are about their work and what they do,” Franck said. She compared their routine to that of athletes who train long hours away from family.
“I think everyone should see it.”
Kelly Presta, executive vice president at First Media, attended Wednesday's screening in Los Angeles, calling the documentary “very inspirational.”
“It’s interesting to see people with such courage who can carry on in the face of such adversity that they’re facing,” Presta said.
She noted the stories of company members who spoke about family members who had endured persecution in China, “and yet they had the courage of their convictions to stay with the group, really, to, in a way, honor their loved ones.”
Presta had seen a Shen Yun performance in Los Angeles in January. She said the film carries a message even for people unfamiliar with the organization.
“I think a lot of people probably haven’t heard of it, and what this really would do for you is inspire you to care about your freedom and your right to speak out,” Presta said. “So, I think it’s a very inspirational movie, even for those who know nothing about the organization at all.”
The documentary is currently screening in Southern California, including a red carpet premiere Wednesday night in Los Angeles at AMC The Grove, as well as a screening Thursday night in Newport Beach at Regal Edwards Big Newport.
“Unbroken: The Untold Story of Shen Yun” portrays Shen Yun performers during their training and family time, and reveals their dedication to preserving traditional Chinese culture through their art.