Hooligan Sparrow

2016 | USA, China | NR | 84 min.

Showings

The Buzz Fri, Jul 29, 2016 6:30 PM
Milliken at the Dennos Museum Sun, Jul 31, 2016 3:00 PM
Film Info
Section:US Official Selection: Documentary
Free Movies at the Buzz
Movies for Smart People
Release Year:2016
Runtime:84 min.
Rating:NR
Production Country:USA
China
Original Language:Chinese
English
Subtitles:English
Cast/Crew Info
Director:Nanfu Wang
Produced by:Nanfu Wang
Screenwriter:Mark Monroe
Nanfu Wang
Cinematography:Nanfu Wang
Editing By:Nanfu Wang

Description

It’s unlikely that anyone faced as much danger while making their TCFF 2016 film as did filmmaker Nanfu Wang and her heroic subject, Chinese human rights activist Ye Haiyan. Under the pseudonym Hooligan Sparrow, Haiyan first came to national attention for her bold campaigns to improve the deplorable conditions of sex workers and to promote women’s rights. But when she publicly sought justice for six elementary school girls who were sexually abused by their principal, the government intervened—and Haiyan became a target. Wang plunges into the fray right next to Haiyan, capturing police chases, interrogations, surveillance, harassment, imprisonment, and multiple relocations as Haiyan refuses to back down or be silenced in her fight for justice. This harrowing work of guerilla journalism required Wang to literally smuggle film out of the country on hard drives. In Person: Director Nanfu Wang (Sun); Producer Michael Shade (Sun).