On August 8th, the documentary “Indestructible: The Story Behind Shen Yun” held its first community screening in San Diego. Shen Yun die-hard fan and magician Terry Runyon wore a Shen Yun branded T-shirt to watch the screening. He expressed the need for people to watch this film to have a more comprehensive understanding of the Shen Yun story. Runyon often wears Shen Yun branded T-shirts to attract people’s attention and promote a deeper understanding of Shen Yun.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Shen Yun Performing Arts, based in New York and dedicated to reviving traditional Chinese culture. The documentary “Indestructible” released by New Tang Dynasty Television this spring not only showcases the daily lives, training, tours, and growth journeys of Shen Yun performers, but also exposes the Chinese Communist Party’s infiltration and tactics of defamation and suppression against Shen Yun outside of China.
“The film is excellent, with a lot of information I didn’t know before. This film needs to be seen by more people; many only have partial information and need to know the full picture to make decisions,” said magician Terry Runyon.
Runyon has been a professional magician for over 50 years, a member of the prestigious Magic Castle in Hollywood, and a devoted fan of Shen Yun. He mentioned buying several T-shirts labeled “Shen Yun Performers” at theaters over the years. “I’ve bought seven shirts so far, including all colors. I hope to see new colors next year when I attend the show, and I will continue to buy them,” Runyon said.
He enjoys wearing these T-shirts in public to spark conversations about Shen Yun performances as he believes many lack understanding and are unaware of the Chinese Communist Party’s spread of falsehoods and oppression against Shen Yun.
During the “MAGIC Live” international magic festival in Las Vegas this August, with over 1800 magicians globally participating, Runyon wore Shen Yun branded T-shirts to discussions and exhibition halls when not on stage performing.
“On each of the four days of the magic festival, I wore a T-shirt in a different color. When people asked, ‘What’s this about?’ I’d say, ‘Let me tell you.’ Some thought Shen Yun was a show from China, I corrected them: ‘No! Shen Yun is from New York!'” he shared.
Regarding the scenes in the film showing alleged individuals paid by the CCP to distribute defamatory flyers against Shen Yun outside theaters, Runyon sarcastically commented, “Those people are too late with their flyers! Tickets are already sold out, and the theater is packed. The more the CCP does this, the more people want to see Shen Yun, so it backfires.”
Secrecy of Taiwan Mei-Xi Summer Camp, board secretary Lai Hui-Mei, was moved and “deeply inspired” by the film. “What moved me was seeing how despite immense pressure, Shen Yun continues training and performing to spread the most beautiful and authentic Chinese culture,” she expressed.
Lai revealed hearing about threats against Shen Yun by explosions, but after watching the film, she gained a more comprehensive understanding and found it shocking. “Though shocked, I wasn’t surprised; these are common tactics used by the CCP, not just in Taiwan,” she added.
She believes more people will support Shen Yun and hopes they persist, urging, “Don’t give up.”
Carol Humphrey and a friend watched “Indestructible” together that day. Humphrey, having seen Shen Yun performances several times, shared her admiration for the film.
“The film is exceptional, broadening our horizons and enlightening us with unknown information. Witnessing actions against Shen Yun breaks our hearts. We adore Shen Yun performances and will pray for them to continue their outstanding work,” she expressed.
Lars Dennert and his family also attended the screening and had words of admiration for Shen Yun performers: “All the actors are very brave, diligent, and truly outstanding.”
The film captured scenes of CCP operatives being paid to distribute anti-Shen Yun flyers outside theaters, leaving Dennert profoundly affected. “It’s an excellent documentary, delving into challenging investigations with outstanding results,” he commended.
The film’s producer, Steve Lance, of New Tang Dynasty Television’s Washington DC station and host of “Washington Report,” revealed during the audience Q&A following the film that in 2024, “The New York Times” published over ten negative articles against Shen Yun in more than six months. His initial goal was conducting his investigative reports, but the process unveiled increasing discoveries unexpectedly.
When Shen Yun performed at New York’s Lincoln Center, protesters distributed defamatory flyers citing “The New York Times.” Lance’s team documented non-Asian faces among the protesters who couldn’t explain their motives. After distributing the flyers, they delivered banners to a Chinese business, with some Chinese admitting being paid $20 by a CCP agent.
Later, Lance’s team unearthed more profound leads, prompting the decision to turns these findings into a documentary. Lance stressed that the CCP’s crackdown on Shen Yun is just an example of the CCP utilizing the democratic systems of the Western world, such as freedom, media, and legal mechanisms, to meet their objectives. The CCP’s infiltration is pervasive, replicating these methods on individuals and groups they dislike.
Shen Yun performer Shindy Cai connected online during the Q&A session with the audience. When questioned about the impact of CCP suppression, Cai, a California native, expressed her initial disbelief at the situation.
She recounted police dogs inspecting the theater before performances, highlighting the seriousness of the situation. Despite the challenges, Cai quickly adapted, rationalizing her resolve to persevere despite the circumstances. Reflecting on distorted claims by some individuals interviewed by “The New York Times,” she emphasized, “I’ll engage with their perspectives, evaluate their claims, and ask myself why am I in Shen Yun.”
After introspection, she affirmed her actions, stating, “I always return to the fundamental question, am I wrong? I uphold Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance in constructing my life and future. After contemplation, regardless of the challenges ahead, I remain ‘indestructible,’ just like the film’s title.”