On June 18, the large-scale documentary “State Organs,” which has won awards such as the 25th Canadian Leo Awards and the 2024 Art Film Spirit Award, premiered at the Manhattan Film Festival in New York.
The director of the film stated that it reveals to the audience “one of the most important histories of China in the past 20 years.” He described it as a massacre that surpasses the scale and extent of the Nazi Holocaust against the Jewish people during World War II, with the notable difference being that this is an “ongoing” massacre.
Audiences present at the screening were profoundly moved by the truths revealed in the film. The founder of the Manhattan Film Festival expressed that this was the first film in the 18 years of the festival that brought tears to his eyes.
After World War II, the world vowed “Never Again” upon learning of the “crime of genocide” committed by the Nazi regime that resulted in the deaths of millions of Jews. However, just a few decades later, another human-to-human massacre unfolded in China, characterized by its secrecy, brutality, prevalence, and horrifying ongoing nature.
The film sheds light on this horrifying atrocity by interviewing victims, participants, eyewitnesses, and individuals involved in the rapid development of China’s organ transplant industry, the surge in missing persons, and the persecution of religious groups over the past 25 years.
Director Raymond Zhang mentioned the difficulty in producing the film, especially in finding suitable interviewees, including victims, their families, eyewitnesses, and doctors who were involved in the forced organ harvesting. He highlighted the challenge of locating doctors willing to come forward with firsthand information.
Due to the sensitive nature of the film’s subject, the difficulty in finding interviewees, and the evolving circumstances surrounding the events, the filming and production of the documentary took six years to complete.
Last July, “State Organs” received multiple nominations and awards at the Leo Awards, including Best Director and Best Music for a feature-length documentary. In 2024, it won the Art Film Spirit Award, received a special nomination for the Excellence Award in Global Film Competitions, and was selected at the Montreal Independent Film Festival, European Theatre Film Festival, and Manhattan Film Festival.
Director Zhang emphasized the significance of showing the film in New York, stating that it is a movie about seeking truth and an inspiring story for billions of people worldwide.
Philip Nelson, the founder and festival director of the Manhattan Film Festival, commended the filmmakers for uncovering the harrowing truth and doing what others have not. He expressed gratitude for shedding light on such an important issue that many avoid discussing.
After viewing the documentary, artist Mr. Li, who was on a business trip to the U.S., expressed feeling deeply shaken. He praised the authenticity and impact of the interviews with victims and witnesses, believing that what the film depicted was only the tip of the iceberg of what truly occurs in China.
Following the premiere, Director Zhang engaged with the audience, discussing the filming process and answering questions. He urged viewers to share what they have seen and heard with their friends and family to potentially bring about change.
For those interested in watching the documentary, they can visit the “Clean World” platform for the Chinese and English versions.