UNBROKEN The Untold Story of Shen Yun Brings the Story Behind Shen Yun to the Screen

When audiences see Shen Yun Performing Arts on stages around the world, they see elaborate choreography, vibrant costumes and large-scale productions. UNBROKEN The Untold Story of Shen Yun looks beyond that spectacle to tell the story of the artists themselves and the forces they have faced while working to preserve traditional Chinese culture.

Directed by filmmaker Fiona Young and produced by Sincere Pictures, the documentary is the first film about the global phenomenon Shen Yun Performing Arts. Young received exclusive access to an American family of Shen Yun artists during their training and international tours, allowing the film to follow their lives both on and off the stage.

Investigator and Executive Producer Steve Lance is central to the documentary and its investigative approach. The film examines the campaign of pressure and propaganda that, according to the filmmakers, has targeted Shen Yun, particularly as the company has gained international prominence. Lance and the filmmaking team explore how artists pursuing their faith, cultural heritage and artistic work have found themselves facing intimidation, threats and what the documentary describes as a coordinated campaign against the company.

For Lance, the story extends beyond the world of dance. The documentary examines what he describes as the broader implications of the pressure surrounding Shen Yun and whether a foreign government can influence or attempt to silence an American nonprofit and its artists on U.S. soil.

“What surprised us most was how complex and coordinated the pressure appeared to be,” said Lance. “Rather than speculate, the documentary carefully lays out the facts and lets viewers see the pattern unfold.”

That investigative perspective is paired with the personal experiences of the performers. UNBROKEN follows two brothers and their fellow artists as they move from ordinary American childhoods into the demanding world of professional classical Chinese dance. Their training and spiritual convictions become central parts of their development as performers and individuals.

The documentary places their stories within Shen Yun's larger history. Founded in 2006 by a small group of artists seeking to revive traditional Chinese culture outside the political restraints of China, Shen Yun has grown into a worldwide performing arts phenomenon. The company now has eight touring companies, each with more than 30 dancers and 30 musicians, and more than one million people see its performances around the world each year.
Lance believes bringing that story to audiences is particularly important when questions of art, freedom and truth are involved.

“We felt strongly that this story belongs to the public. When art, freedom, and truth are being challenged, the most important thing you can do is make sure people can see the full picture,” said Lance.

The film has already reached a significant international audience. During Shen Yun's 20th anniversary season, UNBROKEN was made available for free exclusively on NTD TV and GJW+ for two months and garnered more than one million streams. The documentary is now available in 14 languages, with more than 100 theatrical screenings scheduled across five countries.

The documentary will hold its San Francisco premiere on August 22 at the Delancey Street Screening Room. The event will feature a screening of UNBROKEN The Untold Story of Shen Yun, followed by a panel and Q&A with Shen Yun artists moderated by Steve Lance, who serves as the documentary's Investigator and Executive Producer. The program will also include a red carpet reception and meet and greet with Shen Yun artists.

Former Shen Yun dancer Allison Chen, who is featured in the documentary, will also attend the premiere. The event provides an opportunity for audiences to see the documentary and engage directly with artists connected to the story.

With UNBROKEN The Untold Story of Shen Yun, Fiona Young and Steve Lance bring together personal stories and investigative reporting to examine the people behind one of the world's most recognizable touring dance companies. At the center of the film is a larger question about what happens when artists attempt to preserve their faith and cultural traditions while facing pressure intended to silence or discourage them.