Behind the Mask

Synopsis

If you had the opportunity to confront someone who has tortured you, would you do it?

Screenings

In China, the poet Abduweli Ayup was imprisoned and tortured for teaching Uyghur to children. He survived the mistreatment in the re-education camp, and now he has the opportunity to confront someone who worked as a guard during his stay.

Ayup must assess his need for reconciliation, and the impact the encounter may have on his children, who themselves witnessed his arrest.



Event March 10:
The Battle of Uyghurs in exile

The Chinese persecution of the Turkish-speaking Uyghur population in Western China has led to the detention of more than a million Uyghurs, kept in concentration camps, tortured and utilized in forced labour. Both films «Behind the Mask» and «All Static & Noise» examine the struggles of those who escaped from China, their battle for international awareness and justice from the Chinese regime. 


After the screening of the short film «Behind the Mask», there will be a talk with Håvard Bustnes, director of «Behind the Mask», and Abduweli Ayup, protagonist in «Behind the Mask», Uyghur former political prisoner and in the Norwegian PEN Cities of Refuge program in Bergen. 


Following this, there will be a panel talk: How to fight the Uyghur persecution.

Panel: 
Abduweli Ayup, protagonist in «Behind the Mask», Uyghur former political prisoner and in the Norwegian PEN Cities of Refuge program in Bergen. 
Adiljan Abdurihim, project leader Uyghur Transitional Justice Database
David Novack, director of «All Static and Noise»
Harald Bøckmann, Professor in History, UiO, member of Norwegian PEN
Moderator: Kristoffer Rønneberg, journalist i Aftenposten


After the panel there will be a short break before the screening of «All Static & Noise».

This event is in collaboration with Uyghur Transitional Justice Database, Journeyman Pictures and The China Selection Committee of Norwegian PEN.

Before and after the event the Uyghur Transitional Justice Database invites the audience to try their VR-experience of the detention camps, 3D-modeled after witness testimonies from survivors.

About the director:
Håvard Bustnes is a Norwegian film director and producer. He had his breakthrough in 2008 with the Amanda winner «Big John», about the boxer Ole Klemetsen. After this, his films have been screened at more than 100 film festivals, won awards and been nominated for prestigious festivals such as IDFA, and have been shown on television and in cinemas worldwide. «Behind the Mask» (2023) had its world premiere at DOC NYC in 2023.

Gallery