The young film-maker Nanfu Wang accompanies activist Ye Haiyan, also known by the name of Hooligan Sparrow, to the south Chinese province of Hainan. Sparrow, who for years has promoted the rights of sex workers with provocative initiatives and powerful social media campaigns, wants to organise a public protest with fellow campaigners to raise awareness of a sex scandal involving six young schoolgirls \u2013 a case in which higher levels of government appear to be embroiled.
\nThe campaigners soon come up against resistance. But neither constant state surveillance nor harassment can deter the activists or film-maker. They fight indefatigably and tenaciously against the intimidation tactics. And despite the difficult conditions, Nanfu Wang succeeds in documenting the events using hidden recording devices and guerrilla techniques.<\/p>\n
\u00bbThe chain of events I witnessed in the months that followed the protest shocked me. I\u2019ve never had illusions about fairness in China\u2019s justice system or the accountability of its government. But I never expected to see ordinary people turn on their neighbours who were fighting for their rights. I never expected to be attacked by screaming mobs just for filming on the street. I never expected to be interrogated by national security agents, and that my family and friends would be harassed and threatened by secret police. But this is the China I saw.\u00ab
\n\u2013 Nanfu Wang<\/p>\n
Film series In This Together<\/p>\n
Awards for \u203aHooligan Sparrow\u2039<\/strong>
\nTruer Than Fiction Award \u2013 Independent Spirit Awards, USA 2017<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":18254,"template":"","movie_year":[92],"movie_genre":[85],"movie_cat":[288],"festival":[420],"class_list":["post-10642","movie","type-movie","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","movie_year-92","movie_genre-documentary-en","movie_cat-focus-en-2017","festival-2017-en"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n