“Eternal Spring” We revisit the 2002 incident involving members of the psychomotor Falun Gong. Hijacking local TV shows In Changchun, China. Their goal was to air a video that contradicts the Chinese government’s negative portrayal of breathing techniques that combine Buddhist, Taoist, and Chinese breathing techniques. China saw Falun Gong’s popularity as a political threat and banned Falun Gong in 1999.
This documentary, directed by Jason Loftus, uses animation to revisit these past events. In an eye-catching early sequence, the cartoon equivalent of a smooth single take depicts law enforcement rounding up Falun Gong and several people suspected of being involved in Falun Gong. About hijacking TV signals.
Eternal Spring primarily follows Toronto-based comic artist Daxiong, who designed storyboards for the film. Falun Gong adherents, who said they did not agree to the hijacking but fled China to avoid a subsequent crackdown, visit along with participants in the TV hijacking and neighbors who now live outside China. (Some characters in the play are introduced with cartoon-style nicknames such as “mastermind,” “runner,” and “electrician.”) I draw illustrations. They share vivid memories of a planner who is no longer alive.
Eternal Spring is valuable as an educational tool on Falun Gong and its place in China, and as a testament to the bravery of Falun Gong practitioners in defying the state. Still, animation makes some difference to the documentary, but the narrative can’t quite shake the feeling that this important but short episode is shorter than the feature.
eternal spring
Unrated. Mandarin with subtitles. Running time: 1 hour 26 minutes. at the theater.