Ai Weiwei: the Fake Case a Film by Andreas Johnsen

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POV Community Engagement & Education DISCUSSION GUIDE

Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case A Film by Andreas Johnsen

www.pbs.org/pov LETTER FROM THE FILMMAKER

Ai Weiwei is a man who does not give up even when his life is in danger. He seems to have an uncontrollable urge to resist and a backbone that gets stronger each time somebody tries to break it. He believes so deeply in openness, transparency and in the importance of expressing yourself that it is the equivalent of the need to breathe. You do not truly live if you do not—or can - not—express yourself.

I’ve had close to unlimited access to film his life, and I believe this is an expression of his acceptance of my method and pa - tience and persistence, as well as his will to show the world that he has nothing what - soever to hide.

From my very first trip to China back in 2010, I only imposed one rule on myself: to be with Ai Weiwei as much as possible and to film only when he was present, to see what he sees and hear what he hears.

I've had no intention of giving a broad, Filmmaker Andreas Johnsen. many-voiced view of China or letting a lot Photo courtesy of Andreas Johnsen of people express their opinions of Ai Wei - wei. I’ll let the audience judge for itself by seeing the China that Ai Weiwei sees, the China that he experiences: as a privileged artist, but also as a constantly monitored, restricted and oppressed human being. My ambition was to be as “pure” as I could in my point of view, sharing the eyes of Ai Weiwei in the way I looked at China.

The film started out as a portrait of an artist, but has evolved to tell a universal story about a man and his struggle, a man on the horns of a tragic dilemma. It has become an epic tale in which Ai Weiwei is a metaphor expressing human existence in a closed, opaque, mind-controlling society.

Andreas Johnsen Director/Cinematographer, Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case

DISCUSSION GUIDE Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case |2 TABLE OF CONTENTS CREDITS

2 Letter from the Filmmaker Writer 4 Introduction Faith Rogow, PhD 5 Potential Partners Insighters Educational Consulting

5 Key Issues Background Research and Reporting 5 Using This Guide Margaret Brown 6 Background Information 6 About Ai Weiwei Guide Producers and Background Research, POV 7 Chinese Government and Censorship Eliza Licht 9 Ai Weiwei’s Art and Activism Vice President, Content Strategy and Engagement , POV 11 The Fake Case Aubrey Gallegos Manager, Community Engagement and Education, POV 13 Selected People Featured Alice Quinlan in Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case Assistant, Community Engagement and Education, POV 15 General Discussion Questions 16 Discussion Prompts Design: 21 Taking Action Rafael Jiménez

22 Resources Copy Editor: 23 How to Buy the Film Natalie Danford

Thanks to those who reviewed this guide:

Andreas Johnsen Director/Cinematographer, Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case

DISCUSSION GUIDE Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case |3 INTRODUCTION

Ai Weiwei has a serious problem with authority—govern - Ai Weiwei. ment authority to be precise. China’s government not only Photo courtesy of Andreas Johnsen kidnapped and imprisoned the world-renowned artist, but after his release it conducted a show trial on baseless charges of tax evasion and pornography—all in an effort to stop his protests against his country’s repressive policies. Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case (56:46 min.), a stirring documentary by Andreas Johnsen, dissects the persecution and shows how the government’s attempts to silence Ai Weiwei have turned him into China’s most powerful artist and an irre - pressible voice for free speech and human rights around the globe.

DISCUSSION GUIDE Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case |4 POTENTIAL PARTNERS KEY ISSUES

Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case is well suited for use in a vari - Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case is an excellent tool for out - ety of settings and is especially recommended for use reach and will be of special interest to people looking to with: explore the following topics:

• Your local PBS station • activism • Groups that have discussed previous PBS and POV • art and politics films relating to China, repression and free • authoritarianism speech, including High Tech, Low Life; • China Up the Yangtze; Better This World; and Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry • communism • Groups focused on any of the issues listed in the • dissidents and dissent Key Issues section • free press • High school students, youth groups and clubs • free speech • Faith-based organizations and institutions • government corruption • Cultural, art and historical organizations, • human rights institutions and museums • journalism and democracy • Civic, fraternal and community groups • rule of law • Academic departments and student groups at colleges, universities and high schools • Community organizations with a mission to promote education and learning, such as local libraries.

USING THIS GUIDE

This guide is an invitation to dialogue. It is based on a belief in the power of human connection, designed for people who want to use Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case to engage family, friends, classmates, colleagues and communities. In contrast to initiatives that foster debates in which participants try to convince others that they are right, this document envisions con - versations undertaken in a spirit of openness in which people try to understand one another and expand their thinking by sharing viewpoints and listening actively.

The discussion prompts are intentionally crafted to help a wide range of audiences think more deeply about the issues in the film. Rather than attempting to address them all, choose one or two that best meet your needs and interests. And be sure to leave time to consider taking action. Planning next steps can help people leave the room feeling energized and optimistic, even in instances when conversations have been difficult.

For more detailed event planning and facilitation tips, visit www.pov.org/engage

DISCUSSION GUIDE Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case |5 BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Ai Weiwei. About Ai Weiwei Photo courtesy of Andreas Johnsen Ai Weiwei is a Chinese activist and artist, born in 1957. His father, Ai Qing, was a well-known Chinese poet. In 1958, Ai Qing was arrested as part of the Chinese Anti-Rightist Cam- paign. He was sent to a labor camp, and he continued to live as the “Bird’s Nest” (on which he served as artistic consult- in exile with his wife and son, Ai Weiwei (who was one year ant), and Sunflower Seeds, a sculptural piece made up of old when they were sent into exile), for 16 years. They re- thousands of handcrafted sunflower seeds created by Chi- turned to Beijing in 1976, and a few years later, Ai Weiwei nese craftsmen. The piece is meant to provoke discussion moved to New York City. on economic exchange and objects that are made in China. In 2010 ArtReview named Ai Weiwei the most powerful artist In New York, Ai Weiwei studied for a short period of time at in the world. Today, Ai Weiwei lives in Beijing. the Parsons School of Design. He remained politically active and critical of the Chinese government from afar, and in 1989 Sources: he went on a hunger strike following the Tiananmen Square Art21. “Ai Weiwei.” http://www.pbs.org/art21/artists/ai-weiwei massacre. He didn’t return to China until 1993, when his father became ill. As Ai Weiwei’s father was dying, he told his Ramzy, Austin. “The Activist Artist of China.” TIME, April 25, 2011. son, “This is your country. Don’t be polite.” http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2065248,00.html Stevens, Mark. “Is Ai Weiwei China’s Most Dangerous Man?” Following his father’s death, Ai Weiwei remained in China, Smithsonian, September 2012. http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts- and he has since become one of the most well-known Chi- culture/is-ai-weiwei-chinas-most-dangerous-man-17989316/?no-ist nese contemporary artists living today, renowned for his works in sculpture and architecture. His most famous work includes the Beijing National Stadium, known

DISCUSSION GUIDE Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case |6 BACKGROUND INFORMATION

A detail from S.A.C.R.E.D., Chinese Government and Censorship Ai Weiwei's artistic replication of his time in prison. Photo courtesy of Andreas Johnsen In the film, Ai Weiwei’s mother expresses concern over her son’s outspoken criticism of the Chinese government. She has experienced government repression first-hand, and she academics began to express themselves on issues of cor- believes her son might be in the same danger her husband ruption, low standards of living and intellectual freedom. faced during the 1950s. By July 1957, only months after his speech, Mao felt that the In 1957, inspired by reforms being made within the Soviet constructive criticism he had requested was threatening the Union, Chinese leader Mao Zedong made a speech encour- stability of the Communist Party. He then launched the Anti- aging Chinese intellectuals to come forward with their opin- Rightist Campaign of 1957 in an attempt to shut down the ions and criticisms of government policy and potential movement. During this time, many of those who had re- reforms. Evoking a classical Chinese poem, Mao proclaimed, sponded to the government’s call for criticism were rounded “Let a hundred flowers bloom, let a hundred schools of up and executed, or sent to labor camps. Ai Weiwei’s father, thought contend.” The movement that speech engendered Ai Qing, was one such detractor. He was arrested in 1958 and came to be known as the Hundred Flowers Campaign. Al- sent to a labor camp, along with his wife and son. though intellectuals were at first reluctant to speak Although China has seen a number of changes since the out, eventually thousands of writers, scientists and 1950s, it is still an authoritarian state that, according to

DISCUSSION GUIDE Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case |7 BACKGROUND INFORMATION

An in-progress section of S.A.C.R.E.D., Human Rights Watch, “systematically curbs fundamental depicting the inside of Ai Weiwei's detention cell. rights, including freedom of expression, association, assem- Photo courtesy of Andreas Johnsen bly and religion, when their exercise is perceived to threaten one-party rule.” In the government’s attempt to monitor In- Dou, Eva. “China’s Great Firewall Gets Taller.” The Wall Street Journal, ternet use, it has developed a sophisticated system of cen- January 30, 2015. http://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-great-firewall- sorship online, commonly called the “Great Firewall.” The gets-taller-1422607143

Great Firewall has screened and blocked online content ac- Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Hundred Flowers Campaign.” cessed within the country since 1998. Blocked and censored http://www.britannica.com/event/Hundred-Flowers-Campaign content ranges from international websites and sites with Freedom House. “China.” political content to services like Google and Facebook. While http://www.freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-net/2012/china the Chinese government encourages the use of digital tech- King, Gilbert. “The Silence That Preceded China’s Great Leap Into nology for economic advancement, it has simultaneously be- Famine.” Smithsonian, September 26, 2012. http://www.smithso- come one of the most restrictive national governments in nianmag.com/history/the-silence-that-preceded-chinas-great-leap-into the world when it comes to policing online political commu- -famine-51898077/?no-ist nication. Persecution of bloggers and Internet journalists Human Rights Watch. “World Report 2015: China.” who participate in online activism is not uncommon. Justifi- https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2015/country-chapters/china-and- cation for imprisonment is often limited to vague and un- tibet substantiated claims that state secrets have been leaked. Xu, Beina. “Media Censorship in China.” Council on Foreign Relations, Sources: April 7, 2015. http://www.cfr.org/china/media-censorship-china/p11515

Armstrong, Paul. “Big Brother Still Watching: Internet Censorship Xuecun, Murong. “Scaling China’s Great Firewall.” The New York Times, On the Up, Report Says.” CNN, September 28, 2012. August 17, 2015. http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/27/world/world-internet- http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/18/opinion/murong-xuecun-scaling- freedom-report/ chinas-great-firewall.html

DISCUSSION GUIDE Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case |8 BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Detail from S.A.C.R.E.D.. Ai Weiwei’s Art and Activism Photo courtesy of Andreas Johnsen Ai Weiwei’s art is often political—one of his most recogniza- ble works is a series of photographs of himself flipping off fa- province of Sichuan. The earthquake killed approximately mous monuments, including the White House in 87,150 people, and about 375,000 were injured by falling de- Washington, D.C., and Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Ai Wei- bris. An estimated 4.8 million people were left homeless. A wei was hired by Swiss architect firm Herzog and de Meuron disproportionate number of the buildings destroyed by the to consult on its stadium for the 2008 Olympics, held in Bei- earthquake were schools—a topic of much controversy in jing, and he conceived of the now famous Bird’s Nest sta- the weeks and months that followed. It’s estimated that dium. However, Ai Weiwei later publicly denounced the more than 7,000 schoolrooms crumbled, killing approxi- Beijing Olympics. He said he hated that the stadium he mately 10,000 students. In some areas, schools were the helped design was being used to gloss over China’s human only buildings that collapsed. This ignited widespread alle- rights abuses. He deemed the event a “pretend smile” and gations of corruption against education ministry officials and called for an international boycott. contractors, who were suspected of building schools that One of Ai Weiwei’s most famous political pieces is Accord- failed to meet government standards in order to siphon off ing to What?, an art installation created in response to money and pocket the profit. According to What? features the Sichuan earthquake in 2008. On May 12, 2008, a multiple works related to the Sichuan earthquake and doc- magnitude 7.9 earthquake ripped apart the Chinese uments the names of the dead children. Ai Weiwei also pub-

DISCUSSION GUIDE Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case |9 BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Scultpting Ai Weiwei to look like he did when he lished all of the names of the dead children on his blog. He got out of prison. began blogging in 2006, devoting his website to scathing Photo courtesy of Andreas Johnsen social commentary, and criticism of the Chinese government, in addition to his thoughts on art and architecture. http://www.npr.org/2013/01/23/169973843/in-according-to-what-ai- When Ai Weiwei began to publish details about the Sichuan weiwei-makes-mourning-subversive earthquake on his blog in 2009, the government shut down the site. A few months later, he was attacked by police so Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Sichuan Earthquake of 2008.” brutally that he had to undergo emergency brain surgery. http://www.britannica.com/event/Sichuan-earthquake-of-2008 Osnos, Evan. “It’s Not Beautiful.” The New Yorker, May 24, 2010. Sources: http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2010/05/24/its-not-beautiful

Ai Weiwei. “Ai Weiwei’s Blog.” The MIT Press, March 2011. Ramzy, Austin. “The Activist Artist of China.” TIME, April 25, 2011. https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/ai-weiweis-blog http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2065248,00.html

Aloi, Daniel. “Ai Weiwei Literally Smashes China’s Traditions in Art and “Sichuan 2008: A Disaster on an Immense Scale.” BBC News, May 9, Architecture.” Cornell Chronicle, November 15, 2006. 2013. http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-22398684 http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/2006/11/ai-weiwei-smashes- “Sichuan Earthquake.” The New York Times, May 6, 2009. chinas-traditions-art-and-architecture http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/science/topics/earthquakes/sichu “Artist Behind Beijing’s ‘Bird’s Nest’ Stadium Boycotts Olympics.” CBC an_province_china/index.html Arts, August 11, 2007. http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/artist-behind- Wong, Edward. “China Admits Building Flaws in Quake.” The New York beijing-s-bird-s-nest-stadium-boycotts-olympics-1.646601 Times, September 4, 2008. Block, Melissa. “In ‘According to What?’ Ai Weiwei Makes http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/05/world/asia/05china.html Mourning Subversive.” NPR, January 23, 2013.

DISCUSSION GUIDE Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case |10 BACKGROUND INFORMATION

100 yuan notes—money that was donated to Ai Weiwei The Fake Case by his supporters. On April 3, 2011, Ai Weiwei was arrested at the Beijing air- Photo courtesy of Andreas Johnsen port as he prepared to board a flight to Hong Kong. His arrest appeared to have been part of a crackdown that saw many other artists, writers and bloggers taken into custody. The museum staged a protest of Ai Weiwei's arrest and the Despite international outcry, no word was issued about Ai Chinese government’s detention of 49 other Chinese artists Weiwei'swhereabouts for several days, and he was held in and writers. The museum displayed pictures of sunflower jail with no contact with the outside world for 81 days. The seeds bearing the names of the detainees, including Ai Wei- official charges announced for his arrest were economic wei’s, on the grass outside the museum. The words RE- crimes, in the form of tax evasion, as well as pornography. At LEASE AI WEIWEI were displayed prominently on the side the time of Ai’s arrest, the Chinese government was in- of the Tate building for a short period of time. In addition to creasing arrests of lawyers and political activists, out of fear the protest staged at the Tate, prominent international fig- that the ongoing Arab Spring might trigger similar uprisings ures, such as New York City’s then mayor, Michael in China. Bloomberg and British artist Anish Kapoor, demanded Ai While Ai Weiwei was still in captivity, his Sunflower Weiwei’s release. The international outcry over Ai’s arrest Seeds was on display at the Tate Modern in London. likely played a significant role in his release.

DISCUSSION GUIDE Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case |11 BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Ai Weiwei was released on bail in June 2011, but was not al- Sources: lowed to travel outside of China and was forbidden to dis- “Ai Weiwei Loses Appeal Against $2.4m Tax Fine.” The Guardian, cuss his case. Following his release, authorities demanded September 27, 2012. that Ai Weiwei pay 12 million yuan (1.85 million U.S. dollars) http://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/sep/27/ai-weiwei-loses- in “back taxes” and fines for his alleged economic crimes, in- appeal-tax-fine cluding tax evasion. Ai maintained that the allegations Branigan, Tania. “Ai Weiwei Firm to Be Closed Down by Chinese against him and his company, Fake Cultural Development Authorities.” The Guardian, October 1, 2012. Ltd, were false, and an attempt on the part of the Chinese http://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/oct/01/ai-weiwei-firm- government to silence him. closed-china

A few months after his release, Ai Weiwei's case went to trial, “China artist Ai Weiwei’s Tax Evasion Appeal Rejected.” BBC News, and in November 2011 he was charged with tax evasion. He July 20, 2012. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-18925320 chose to appeal the decision—an action he was able to fi- “China Demands Ai Weiwei Pay $1.85 Million in Taxes, Fines.” Reuters, nance using the donations he received from his supporters June 28, 2011. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/28/us-china- all over the world. That first appeal was rejected in July 2012. artist-idUSTRE75L3U520110628 A second and final appeal was lost in September 2012. Ai “Chinese Authorities Agree to review Ai Weiwei Tax Case.” BBC News, was unable to file another appeal, and he stated that the de- January 6, 2012. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-16437314 cision to charge him with tax evasion came from a “barbaric Thorpe, Vanessa and Tania Branigan. “Tate Modern Protest Calls for and backward legal system.” In his appeals, Ai Weiwei and Release of Missing Chinese Dissident Artist Ai Weiwei.” The Guardian, his lawyers accused the tax bureau of violating laws regard- April 9, 2011. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/apr/10/tate- ing the handling of witnesses and the gathering of evidence. modern-protest-remembers-chinas-missing-dissidents

An article in The Guardian quoted Nicholas Bequelin, senior Wong, Edward. “Dissident Chinese Artist is Released.” The New York Asia researcher at Human Rights Watch, saying, “The tax Times, June 22, 2011. case against Ai Weiwei was politically motivated from the http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/23/world/asia/23artist.html?_r=0 outset—an 11th hour pretext pulled out of a hat by the government to justify Ai’s unlawful arrest and secret detention for 81 days.”

Ai Weiwei’s passport was confiscated following his arrest, and it was not returned to him until July 22, 2015, almost four years later.

DISCUSSION GUIDE Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case |12 SELECT PEOPLE

Selected People Featured in Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case

Ai Weiwei - Chinese artist and activist. Wang Fen - Ai Weiwei’s girlfriend and the mother of his only child, son Ai Lao (born 2009). Wang Fen is a film director and editor.

Gao Ying - (b. 1933) Ai Weiwei’s mother and the widow of Larry Warsh - An art collector based in New York, Warsh is poet Ai Qing, Ai Weiwei’s father. the founder of AW Asia, a private organization in New York City that promotes Chinese contemporary art.

DISCUSSION GUIDE Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case |13 SELECT PEOPLE

Selected People Featured in Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case

Angus Walker - Former China correspondent for Britain’s ITV. Silke Ballweg - A German journalist from Südwestdeutscher Rundfunk.

Pu Zhiqiang - The only lawyer remaining on Ai Weiwei’s case, and probably China´s most prominent human rights lawyer.

DISCUSSION GUIDE Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case |14 GENERAL DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Ai Weiwei and son Ai Lao. Immediately after the film, you may want to give people a Photo courtesy of Andreas Johnsen few quiet moments to reflect on what they have seen or pose a general question (examples below) and give people some time to themselves to jot down or think about their answers before opening the discussion:

• If a friend asked you what this film was about, what • Describe a moment or scene in the film that you would you say? found particularly disturbing or moving. What was it • If you were one of the journalists interviewing Ai about that scene that was especially compelling for Weiwei, and he was free to answer, what would you you? ask? • What’s one thing you learned from this film that you wish everyone knew? What would change if everyone knew it?

DISCUSSION GUIDE Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case |15 DISCUSSION PROMPTS

Ai Weiwei and his staff creating an art installation. Art and Politics Photo courtesy of Andreas Johnsen The filmmaker chose to open this film with a Pablo Picasso quote: “Painting is not done to decorate apartments. It is an instrument of war.” Why do you think that is? What does it say about democracy’s embrace of free ex- According to Ai Weiwei, the Chinese government thinks that pression that the journalist is stymied by “decency” require- “nudity is pornography,” so it objects to art that includes nu- ments? dity. How would you distinguish between art or political ex- What was your reaction to the recreation of Ai Weiwei’s cell pression and pornography? Would you be comfortable with and experience in detention? public displays of all the art shown in the film? Why or why not?

Ai Weiwei acknowledges that the people who posed nude Repressing Free Speech for him were doing something dangerous. Why do you sup- The film indicates that China’s arrest, imprisonment and on- pose they were willing to take the risk? How might nudity going harassment of Ai Weiwei is intended (in his words) to relate to political activism on issues of liberty and trans- send “a clear message to other artists and to critics of the parency? government in China—the government can arrest anyone at A journalist attempting to interview Ai Weiwei despite his any time.” What message(s) do you think the world actually probation restrictions suggests that the artist simply stand received? near his artwork while the reporter does a voiceover. Ai According to the film, the more famous Ai Weiwei became, suggests that he be filmed taking a shower instead. the more the Chinese government wanted to silence him, Why do you think the artist suggests a shower? “But that [high] profile also meant there were loud calls for

DISCUSSION GUIDE Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case |16 DISCUSSION PROMPTS

Ai Weiwei Skyping with his friend Jerome A. Cohen, his release.” What role does the ability to generate public at- a professor of law at New York University School of Law. tention play in the success or failure of activism? Why does Cohen is an expert in Chinese law and an advocate of visibility matter to a government like China’s? human rights in China. One of Ai Weiwei’s nude models reports that his residence Photo courtesy of Andreas Johnsen has been rendered invisible online: “When I came here last year, I used Google Maps to find your place. But this year your place cannot be found on the Net...neither Baidu nor Google can locate number 258.” What does the government a day—that’s what you want, right?” In your view, is this gain by attempting to erase Ai Weiwei’s online presence? openness an expression of narcissism and exhibitionism, or What does it lose? is it a political statement? If it is the latter, what is the mes- Ai Weiwei describes the case that the government brought sage? Why doesn’t the government approve? against him: “It's a fake case about a Fake company. But the Fake company is a real company. The Fake case is a real case, but it’s fake. It’s fabricated.” What statement do you Speaking Out think Ai Weiwei was making by naming his company “Fake”? What insights did the film offer about the role of a free press Why are repressive governments especially vulnerable to in a democracy? “doublespeak”? The government and Ai Weiwei have very different narra- Ai Weiwei says he accepts having his phone tapped be- tives about what the artist has done and why he has been cause, “I have no secrets, you [the authorities] have se- prosecuted, detained and released. What role do media and crets.” He also explains the webcam in his home, online technologies play in determining which version the saying, “I just help you guys to monitor me 24 hours public comes to accept?

DISCUSSION GUIDE Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case |17 DISCUSSION PROMPTS

Ai Weiwei. The Chinese government said it was holding Ai Weiwei for Photo courtesy of Andreas Johnsen “subversion of the state power.” What, exactly, is subversive about what the artist says and does? Under what circumstances has free speech been deemed subversive, including know about the U.S. that citizens of the U.S. might take for in the U.S.? granted?

Ai Weiwei says, “If you let me have the radio or free press for A journalist asks Ai Weiwei if his difficult year made him one month, I will make the whole thing change. Just one weaker. He responds, “I have a difficult life. It doesn’t make month. It’s enough.” Do you agree? Do you think activists in me weaker or stronger—I just have to face it...I’m not really the United States or other democratic countries would scared, but of course it’s very scary.” Given what you see agree? What do activists like Ai see as the link between free and hear in the film, how would you describe the affects of speech and democracy? detention and harassment on the artist? What lessons does this offer for detention policies and techniques used by your Ai Weiwei lives next to the U.S. embassy and observes long government? lines of people waiting for visas, noting, “All these people, waiting in line are trying to get to the United States. Each In response to questions about why he would risk speaking day they have 3,000 people...I guess people just want out, Ai Weiwei says, “I think, if I don't show my voice and to escape.” What do you think the people in line don’t act as I’ve always believed, then I think I am dead

DISCUSSION GUIDE Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case |18 DISCUSSION PROMPTS

The day Ai Weiwei's probation ends. already. Even if I have a living form, I will see myself as a Photo courtesy of Andreas Johnsen dead person.” If you were in his shoes, how would you reconcile this feeling with his mother’s concern that if Ai continues speaking out, her grandson may grow up without his father? What would you be willing to risk in order to stand At the same time that Ai Weiwei insists that the government up for the values you hold dear? follow its own rules, he is critical of those involved in his ar- Ai Weiwei is uncomfortable with the idea that people have rest and detention because for them, “Everything is about sent him money as an act of charity. His friend Jeremy Wing- taking orders.” How would you reconcile these two seem- field argues that the letters with cash are “not about charity.” ingly contradictory sentiments? What’s the difference be- If the cash isn’t charity, what is it? tween “following the law” and “taking orders”? After Ai Weiwei’s lawyer, Pu Zhiqiang, complains about a court being dismissive of his arguments, a frustrated Ai Wei- The Rule of Law wei says, “The reason we go to court to solve our problems When the government refuses to return Ai Weiwei’s pass- is that we trust the law and we are willing to let the court port, he urges it to follow its own rules. And when asked why settle our dispute.” When citizens can’t depend on courts for he keeps “pushing the limit,” he says, “I just want to exercise justice, what are the consequences for society? some of my rights... I just exercise the rights the constitution gave to everybody.” Why would it be important for an activist who routinely challenges authority to invoke the rule of law?

DISCUSSION GUIDE Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case |19 DISCUSSION PROMPTS

China Ai Weiwei observes that despite 60 years in power and 80 million members, China’s Communist Party still acts “like an underground party.” He asks “Why you make it like a secret society?” What do you think the answer is?

Ai’s mother says of her son’s treatment, “Different times, but same circumstances... You were punished just because you had a different opinion.” How is this evocative of his parents’ experiences in 1957? What’s the lesson about the degree to which the Chinese government has changed since then?

Ai Weiwei must call a police contact for permission to go anywhere. The filmmaker is surprised that the call is friendly and respectful. Ai explains, “You know the system, they all know the system and we all know the system’s problems. But we’re all victimized by the system, you know.” How is the police officer victimized by the system?

Ai Weiwei objects to China’s current status as “the production quarters of the world. I mean, just like servants. China is slavery now to the world. You know, cheap labor.” What re- sponsibility does the West have for creating and sustaining this situation? What is the potential long-term impact on China’s people if its economy is based primarily on providing multinational corporations with cheap labor?

When asked what he thinks will happen to China, Ai Weiwei responds, “One day it will completely collapse. I’m trying to figure out which day. It’s very hard to figure out.” What do you think will happen to China (and what’s your evidence)?

Ai Weiwei and son Ai Lao. Photo courtesy of Andreas Johnsen

Additional media literacy questions are available at: www.pbs.org/pov/educators/media-literacy.php

DISCUSSION GUIDE Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case |20 TAKING ACTION

A photoshoot in response to donations for Ai Weiwei's cause. Photo courtesy of Andreas Johnsen

Taking Action

• Work with an organization, such as Amnesty International, that brings to light the cases of political prisoners like Ai Weiwei.

• Learn more about Ai Weiwei and his struggles for liberty and free speech. You can find out about current efforts at http://www.friendsoffreeexpression.com

• Together with your local library, create an art exhibit and speaker series focused on free speech and/or the role of a free press in a democracy.

DISCUSSION GUIDE Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case |21 RESOURCES

FILM-RELATED WEB SITES ROSFORTH http://www.rosforth.com AI WEIWEI: THE FAKE CASE Filmmaker Andreas Johnson's website includes information www.thefakecase.com on Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case, as well as his past and The film’s website provides clips from the film and a press upcoming films. kit with background information.

Original Online Content on POV To further enhance the broadcast, POV has produced an interactive website to enable viewers to explore the film in greater depth. The Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case website—www.pbs.org/pov/aiweiwei—offers a streaming video trailer for the film; an interview with the filmmaker; a list of related websites, articles and books; a downloadable discussion guide; a standards-aligned lesson plan; a downloadable reading list; and special features.

Ai Weiwei GLOBAL VOICES www.globalvoicesonline.org AI WEIWEI This site aggregates news from a volunteer community of www.aiweiwei.com more than 1,200 writers who find, translate and report the Ai Weiwei’s website features his artworks and occasional most compelling and important stories from marginalized blog posts. Also of interest is the live webcam from Ai and misrepresented communities. Weiwei’s home that is mentioned in the film: http://weiweicam.com/ HUMAN RIGHTS FIRST www.humanrightsfirst.org FREE AI WEIWEI This human rights organization challenges the U.S. to live www.freeaiweiwei.org up to its own ideals of freedom and justice. The website This site was mounted by Ai Weiwei’s supporters, who offers fact sheets on a range of issues, from closing often use it to say things that he cannot. Guantánamo to responding to the rise of far-right parties in Europe. FRONTLINE: WHO’S AFRAID OF AI WEIWEI? www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/ai-wei-wei MOVEMENTS The website for this 2012 PBS documentary includes a www.movements.org range of background information about the artist and his This project of the organization Advancing Human Rights activism. (www.advancinghumanrights.org) crowdsources liberty by Supporting Open Societies connecting dissidents in closed societies with individuals around the world with skills to help. It also provides AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL information and strategies on how to use digital media to www.amnestyusa.org publicize dissident struggles. An international organization dedicated to exposing REPORTERS WITHOUT BORDERS injustice and promoting human rights. In 2015, Ai Weiwei http://en.rsf.org was named a joint recipient of Amnesty International’s Ambassador of Conscience Award, along with Joan Baez. This group supports freedom of information as the foundation of democracy. Its resources include handbooks for journalists, campaigns to help journalists who have been arrested and research on the status of press freedom around the world.

DISCUSSION GUIDE Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case |22 HOW TO BUY THE FILM

For information on how to purchase Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case for home viewing or for educational/institutional use, visit http://www.kinolorber.com/.

Produced by American Documentary, Inc., POV Community Engagement and Education POV is public television’s premier showcase POV's Community Engagement and Education team works with for nonfiction films. The series airs Mondays at educators, community organizations and PBS stations to pres- 10 p.m. on PBS from June to September, with primetime specials ent more than 650 free screenings every year. In addition, we during the year. Since 1988, POV has been the home for the distribute free discussion guides and standards-aligned lesson world’s boldest contemporary filmmakers, celebrating intriguing plans for each of our films. With our community partners, we in- personal stories that spark conversation and inspire action. Always spire dialogue around the most important social issues of our an innovator, POV discovers fresh new voices and creates inter- time. active experiences that shine a light on social issues and elevate the art of storytelling. With our documentary broadcasts, original American Documentary, Inc. www.amdoc.org online programming and dynamic community engagement cam- American Documentary, Inc. (AmDoc) is a multimedia company paigns, we are committed to supporting films that capture the dedicated to creating, identifying and presenting contemporary imagination and present diverse perspectives. stories that express opinions and perspectives rarely featured in POV films have won 32 Emmy® Awards, 18 George Foster mainstream media outlets. AmDoc is a catalyst for public cul- Peabody Awards, 12 Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards, ture, developing collaborative strategic engagement activities three Academy Awards®, the first-ever George Polk Documen- around socially relevant content on television, online and in com- tary Film Award and the Prix Italia. The POV series has been munity settings. These activities are designed to trigger action, honored with a Special News & Documentary Emmy Award for from dialogue and feedback to educational opportunities and Excellence in Television Documentary Filmmaking, two IDA community participation. Awards for Best Continuing Series and the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) Award for Corporate Major funding for POV is provided by PBS, The John D. and Commitment to Diversity. More information is available at Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the John S. and James L. www.pbs.org/pov. Knight Foundation, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and POV Digital www.pbs.org/pov National Endowment for the Arts. Additional funding comes from Nancy Blachman and David desJardins, Bertha Foundation, Since 1994, POV Digital has driven new storytelling initiatives The Fledgling Fund, Marguerite Casey Foundation, Ettinger and interactive production for POV. The department created Foundation, New York State Council on the Arts, New York City PBS's first program website and its first web-based documen- Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Coun- tary (POV's Borders) and has won major awards, including a cil, Ann Tenenbaum and Thomas H. Lee, and public television Webby Award (and six nominations) and an Online News Asso- viewers. POV is presented by a consortium of public television ciation Award. POV Digital continues to explore the future of in- stations, including KQED San Francisco, WGBH Boston and dependent nonfiction media through its digital productions and THIRTEEN in association with WNET.ORG. the POV Hackathon lab, where media makers and technologists collaborate to reinvent storytelling forms. @povdocs on Twitter.

You can follow us on Twitter @POVengage Front cover: Ai Weiwei. for the latest news from Photo courtesy of Andreas Johnsen POV Community Engagement & Education.

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