After the opening ceremony of The Third Shen Zhou Film Festival, the audience was captivated by it’s most recent film. In a scene from “Forever” the music was calm and penetrating while the bride wearing a white wedding dress was gently running from a distance through a winding path of snow in the month of June. It was very quiet in the assembly room. A simple story but vivid life details had the audience laughing at times. However, during the course of the story, they couldn’t help but to shed tears. After the film, there was a very big applause for that. Because of the limited seats in the theater, many watched the film by standing.
Director and actors meet with audiences
Afterwards, the director and chief actors of “Forever” went on stage to meet with the audience and answered questions. When being asked about her current feeling, director Wang Jinwei said:”Not only me, but also all the actors and coworkers in our group were looking forward to this day, when “Forever” would be shown. So I am very happy now and cannot express with words. However, let me put it another way, because this film is based on a true story, and the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong is still going on, my heart is still heavy right now. I appreciate all the actors who have created the value of this film and many thanks to the coworkers of the film festival. and ofcourse to the audience who care about this film. Because of you, this film realized its value.” The male leading actor who could not be there sent a congratulatory letter.After watching the film, Congressman Tuwu said: “If we turn a blind eye for murder, torture, and the illegal action of policies, it’s just the same that we agree with Hitler.”
Questions from audiences
Many audience members had comments about the films. Mr. Nantiao from Japan said: “Because it’s a true story, this film really shook me up and had quite an affect on me. After watching the movie,I was thinking that if a person couldn’t adhere to the principle of truth in his or her life, they would lose themself in this world.” Mr. Zuoteng Yiong said:”What those Falun Gong practitioners still insist upon while facing persecution must be the true steadfast belief. Persecution only helps more and more people to know the truth. I have seen the big success of Falun Gong.” Mr. Judi said:”I was touched by the film. Every time when I had a thought that this is a true story, my heart pounded. I was thinking that the Chinese society shouldn’t be like that anymore.” He also said:”This movie really makes me think and I would also like to try practicing Falun Gong.” Mr.Jibei Xiannan said: “The film is clear, beautiful and not complicated, it has an invisible power to catch you.”
Questions from audiences
Foreign citizen Baijing who is of Chinese origin said that he was just like the male leading actor “Yongcheng” before he practiced Falun Gong in the film. He often fought with others. After seeing the film , he wanted to practice Falun Gong and would like to read Zhuan Falun, the core text of Falun Gong.
Actors of “Forever” answer questions
During the the special feature section of the Third Shen Zhou Film Festival, “Shake the World” and “Forever” were shown from 6pm – 9pm. The audience couldn’t help but to cry. Many who couldn’t get tickets for the opening show watched these two films. They expressed that the films were just like their names which shake people’s hearts and deeply touched them forever. The two films are of different styles but when put together, they made people forever shake. Some said that although they watched “Forever” twice in one day, they were still touched. Congressman Shuiye watched the films for three hours and said that before, he only knew about Falun Gong only from the internet. But with “Shake the World” he felt that he was experiencing the brutal persecution. And “Forever” took him to the true life of Falun Gong practitioners. It was very educational.
Director and Congressman Shuiye
Actors of “Forever” answer questions