Archives - Program 2020

By Andy Cohen & Gaylen Ross

After the death of Mao Zedong in the late 1970’s, the “Stars” artist group and Democracy Wall activists (including Wei Jingsheng, Xu Wenli and a young Ai Weiwei) dared to voice individual ideas and show radical artworks until the government cracked down on this brief moment of reform. Shown through newly discovered 16mm footage hidden from authorities for 35 years, this officially censored history is now revealed by those who lived it - some imprisoned for two decades.               

Written and directed by Andy Cohen, co-written and co-directed by Gaylen Ross. 

Photo credits: Wang Rui

• Section Thematic film

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