The documentary “Resilience: Behind the Scenes of Shen Yun” premiered in Chicago at the Chicago Cultural Center on September 21, 2026. Some of the artists from Shen Yun Art Troupe attended the grand red carpet ceremony that evening. After the screening, the Shen Yun artists participated in a panel discussion and engaged in a Q&A session with the audience.
The Chicago Cultural Center is a classical architectural landmark in the city. That evening, several artists appeared on the red carpet dressed in traditional Chinese costumes designed by Mr. D.F., the artistic director of Shen Yun, showcasing fashion styles from different dynasties and adding a rich flavor of Chinese culture to this building known as the “People’s Palace”.
“Resilience: Behind the Scenes of Shen Yun” (abbreviated as “Resilience”) is directed by Fiona Young and produced by Sincere Pictures. It is the first feature-length documentary film centered around the Shen Yun Art Troupe. Shen Yun Art Troupe is a Chinese classical dance and music ensemble based in New York, founded in 2006. Young obtained exclusive filming permission to follow the performers during training and international tour performances, spanning across multiple continents, documenting an American family composed of Shen Yun artists.
This 82-minute film consists of two main storylines. One focuses on the artists’ daily training, tour schedules, and their motivations for pursuing this work, as described by the performers themselves. The other delves into the challenges the performers face as Shen Yun’s international reputation continues to rise, including smear campaigns, threats, and disruptions.
“Resilience” had its New York premiere at AMC Lincoln Square 13 in March, followed by screenings in Los Angeles, and in July at the Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, D.C. Now, the documentary has arrived in Chicago. Prior to this, it had been released in 14 language versions and scheduled for screenings in over 100 theaters across 5 countries. Earlier in 2026, the film was streamed for free for two months on NTD Television, a subsidiary of the production company, as well as the Gan Jing World streaming platform, accumulating over 1 million views.