Survivors and their families risk everything to expose the truth of China’s Uyghur detention and ‘re-education’ camps
This documentary centers on Ilham Tohti, a prominent Uyghur economist from Xinjiang who was arrested by the Chinese government on charges of “separatism” and sentenced to life imprisonment. He has now been incarcerated for twelve years for advocating dialogue, equality, and peaceful coexistence between ethnic groups in China.
Produced over five years and filmed across seven countries, the documentary draws primarily on oral testimonies from Uyghur and Kazakh individuals to reveal the ongoing human rights abuses faced by ethnic minorities in Xinjiang. At its heart is the story of Jewher Ilham, Ilham Tohti’s daughter, who has dedicated herself to campaigning internationally for her father’s release. Through her journey, the film documents the experiences of Uyghurs fleeing China and recounts her own family’s ordeal inside detention camps.
Directed by Jewish American filmmaker David Novak, the film is inspired by the striking parallels between the current persecution of Uyghurs and the historical experiences of the Jewish people. Through this deeply personal and political narrative, the documentary seeks to raise global awareness and serve as a powerful reminder that human rights atrocities must never be allowed to happen again.
Post-screening discussion speaker: Abduweli Ayup
Abduweli Ayup is a Uyghur activist born in Kashgar, China, in 1973. He was detained by Chinese authorities from 2013 to 2014 for promoting Uyghur language education and endured severe interrogation and abuse while refusing false accusations. After his release, he fled to Turkey with his family. In 2016, Ayup founded the non-profit Uyghur Hjelp, continuing to document human rights abuses and promote Uyghur language education in the diaspora.
This screening is by reservation only. If you would like to attend, please email: minnielee0511@gmail.com
Organizer: Öbroar, New School for Democracy, Taiwan Association in Sweden
本片主角新疆維吾爾經濟學者-伊力哈木・土赫提(Ilham Tohti)教授，被中國政府以「分裂國家罪」逮補並判處無期徒刑，至今已達12年。
該紀錄片歷時5年製作、在7個國家進行拍攝，以維吾爾人及哈薩克人的口述證言為主。記錄主角菊爾・伊力哈木(Jewher Ilham)為爭取父親伊力哈木・土赫提的獲釋奔走，講述維吾爾人逃離中國， 以及自身和家人在拘留營的經歷。
身為猶太裔美國人的導演-大衛・諾瓦克(David Novak)有感於現今新疆維吾爾人境遇，和自身猶太人歷史的相似性，希望透過此紀錄片向全世界發聲，提醒世界人權侵害之事不能再次發生。
映後與談人：Abduweli Ayup
阿卜杜維力．阿尤甫（Abduweli Ayup）是出生於1973年中國喀什的維吾爾人權與語言權利倡議者。2013年因創辦維吾爾語教育學校、推動母語教學而遭中國當局拘留，關押長達15個月，其間遭受威脅、毆打、老虎椅與睡眠剝奪等酷刑，但始終拒絕承認不實指控。獲釋後，他與家人流亡土耳其。2016年創立非營利組織「Uyghur Hjelp」，持續記錄維吾爾人遭受迫害的情況，並在海外推動維吾爾語教育與教材出版。
因座位有限報名，本場放映採預約制。如欲參加，請來信至：minnielee0511@gmail.com
主辦單位：Öbroar, 華人民主書院協會、瑞典台灣協會