UNBROKEN: The Untold Story of Shen Yun — Vancouver Red Carpet Premiere

UNBROKEN: The Untold Story of Shen Yun — official key art with a dancer mid-leap, and official selection laurels from seven 2026 film festivals
Official selection 2026: East Village New York Film Festival, Sweden Film Awards, Oniros Film Awards New York, Stockholm City Film Festival, Starlight International Film Festival, Cannes World Film Festival, New York Cinemafest

Vancouver Red Carpet Premiere

Monday, August 24, 2026

VIFF Centre · 1181 Seymour Street, Vancouver · 5:30–10:00 p.m.

RSVP on Eventbrite

Complimentary admission · registration required · seating is limited

Gripping and emotionally charged. The Hollywood Times

The Film

Millions have seen Shen Yun. Few know the real story.

UNBROKEN is a documentary about a world-renowned dance company dedicated to reviving traditional Chinese culture — and the 20-year campaign of repression it has endured.

Through the story of two brothers, the film explores resilience, artistic freedom, and the courage to stand firm and refuse to be silenced.

Film website & trailer

A full theatre during a Shen Yun performance
Director
Fiona Young
Executive producer
Steve Lance
Producer
Penny Zhou
Running time
82 minutes
Year
2026
Language
English

From the ballfield to the world stage

Two brothers as children playing baseball
Childhood
Young dancers training at the barre
Training
Shen Yun performers on stage in full costume
World stage
Dancers rehearsing synchronised extensions in an empty theatre

Twenty years

What does it take to remain unbroken?

Twenty years ago, Shen Yun began with a mission: to revive the beauty and wisdom of traditional Chinese culture through the performing arts.

Since then, it has grown into one of the world’s most successful performing arts organizations, inspiring millions of audience members across five continents. Yet behind this remarkable success story lies another story, one rarely told.

Why it matters now

A story of family, resilience, and freedom.

UNBROKEN recently premiered on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., as part of a congressional presentation hosted by Congressman Marlin Stutzman. The event brought together Members of Congress, policy experts, Shen Yun artists, and other invited guests to examine the broader implications of transnational repression for freedom of expression, public safety, and democratic institutions.

The Vancouver premiere offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from Shen Yun artists as they reflect on the challenges they have faced and the resilience that has sustained them, and to explore the intersection of art, freedom, and democratic values.

Members of the Browde family together

Trailer

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In the film

The people at the heart of UNBROKEN

Jesse Browde
Jesse BrowdePrincipal dancer
Lucas Browde
Lucas BrowdePrincipal dancer
Piotr Huang
Piotr HuangPrincipal dancer
Angela Lin
Angela LinPrincipal dancer
Rachel Chen
Rachel ChenViola player
Leeshai Lemish
Leeshai LemishShen Yun MC
Allison Chen
Allison ChenFormer Shen Yun dancer
Levi Browde
Levi BrowdeJesse and Lucas’ father

Press

What critics are saying

Christine Tatum

“I was just deeply moved.”

Christine TatumFmr. president, Society of Professional Journalists
Dr. Naomi Wolf

“One of the most important documentaries I’ve seen.”

Dr. Naomi WolfAuthor & journalist
Thomas M. Copeland

“My eyes were opened.”

Thomas M. CopelandActor & performer, New York City
Film Threat

“Insightful … timely … part coming-of-age story and part political thriller.”

Patch

“A meditation on freedom itself.”

The Evening

Red carpet, screening, and a live panel

  1. Red Carpet ReceptionMeet-and-greet with Shen Yun artists
  2. Film ScreeningUNBROKEN: The Untold Story of Shen Yun
  3. Live Panel DiscussionHosted by Steve Lance, investigative journalist and executive producer, featuring Shen Yun artists

VIFF Centre

1181 Seymour Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 3M7, Canada
Dress code
Black tie optional
Admission
By invitation · registration required · you may bring one or two guests
RSVP on Eventbrite

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All times Pacific (PDT, UTC−7). Seating is limited.

Mon, Aug 24 · 5:30 pm
VIFF Centre
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