Experts Discuss Freedom at Free Speech Film Festival
On May 16th the first ever “Free Speech Film Festival,” organized by American Insight, was held in Philadelphia.
Preceding the award ceremony, a panel of experts discussed their views on the topic of free speech.
[Anne-Marie Slaughter, Former US State Dept. Director of Policy and Planning]:
“Truth can be silenced, but once spoken, it cannot be ignored.”
[Karen Curry, Former CNN Bureau Chief]:
“How can you run when you know? We do know the price of freedom, and we best not run, or we just might lose it forever.”
[Reggie Shuford, Executive Director of Law and Policy at the Equal Justice Society]:
“Justice and democracy go hand in hand, and free speech is essential for both.”
[C.K. Williams, Award Winning Poet]:
“Who said, with my eyes closed I see more, not me.”
The winner of the inaugural Free Speech Award is “Free China: The Courage to Believe.” The film covers the story of two practitioners of the Falun Gong meditation practice, who were imprisoned in China for their beliefs.
Free China is a co-production between NTD Television and World2be Productions. The film was directed by Michael Perlman and produced by Kean Wong.
[Margaret Chew Barringer, Free Speech Film Festival Founder]:
“This year’s Free Speech Award-winning film was created by two superb young filmmakers, based on a book written by one young woman, who had the courage to say no to both government and cooperate fascism. There is no way towards peace, the Quakers say, peace is the way. I hope this film changes our world.”
Moderator of the panel, Bob Craig, says the movie was eye opening.
[Bob Craig, WRTI Host of Big Band Jazz + Voices of Jazz]:
“When you realize the torture and the mishap that these people have suffered, I mean this is like something that is eye-opening for the whole world to hear, and with a film this powerful, I believe this is something that should even be brought into the classrooms.”
“Free China will continue to tour the international film festival circuit. The film has just been accepted into the 8-city Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers, as well as the “Free Thinking Film Festival” in Ottawa, Canada.
From L to R: Kean Wong, producer of Free China, Jennifer Zeng, the main character of Free China, Margaret Chew Barringer, founder of American Insight and Free Speech Film Festival, Tony Chen, music composer for Free China. Photo credit: Edward Dai/the Epoch Times.
從左自右：《自由中國》的製片人Kean Wong， 曾錚女士， 非營利機構「美國洞見」的創始人Margaret Chew Barringer， 《自由中國》的音樂製作人Tony Chen。(攝影： 愛德華/大紀元)
