Hard to Believe is a critical inquiry into the macabre practice of live organ harvesting from unwilling political and spiritual prisoners in China. The Perth premiere is happening on Monday the 22nd of September 2016 starting at 6 PM in West Perth. A Q&A panel discussion with local and international experts will follow the screening.
Directed by Ken Stone and Irene Silbe, the award winning documentary takes a hard look at government-sponsored organ harvesting from China's prisoners of conscience, including practitioners of Falun Gong and those of Christian faith. Ethnicity can also cause you to be jailed in China, with many Tibetan and Uyghur people behind bars.
Many of us have a vague awareness about human rights breeches in China, but this is likely shrouded by significant media oppression. Hard to Believe is a candid journey through the medical, legal and ethical implications of harvesting organs from society's dissidents. Importantly, the seeming apathetic response from the international community is also examined in the documentary. Perhaps it is under reported in the Western Media, or is it that we feel powerless to do anything? Or are we just so desensitized by the endless atrocities committed by governments around the world? Have we run out of compassion?
Why does it even matter to us? Firstly, human rights abuse is everyone's business. Just because it is not happening right in our backyard does not mean it is not important. Secondly, people from many nations, including
Australians, in need of a transplant, travel to China in hope of receiving the organ they have been unable to obtain at home. There is strong evidence that prisoners are killed to order after being matched to the intended recipient. Not surprisingly, there are financial perks for the Chinese government and military, making this a highly lucrative enterprise. Australians are playing an active role in supporting the chilling practice.
After the documentary screening, a panel of experts from the fields of human rights, law, medicine, and ethics will take place. Independent moderator, Gerry Georgatos, will oversee what is bound to be a vigorous and riveting discussion.
The Q&A Panel
Ethan Gutman - human rights investigator, advocate and writer, and
China watcher
Mr Stephen Honeybul - Head of Department of Neurosurgery at both Royal Perth and Fiona Stanley Hospitals, and consultant neurosurgeon at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
Prof Doug Hodgson - Dean of The University of Notre Dame Australia School of Law, Fremantle
Prof Wendy Rogers via video link - Professor of Clinical Ethics, Deputy Director of the Macquarie University Research Centre for Agency, Values and Ethics
Tickets for the not-for-profit event cost $15 which includes the documentary and panel discussion, as well as light refreshments. Get your ticket through
If you are passionate about human rights issues or have an interest in either China or organ donation, this is one event you won't want to miss. Find out more by visiting the
website or the
Facebook page.
Schedule for Monday 22nd September 2016
City West Receptions, 45 Plaistowe Mews, West Perth 60055:45 PM Registration
6:00 PM Welcome to Country
6:05 PM Introduction and film screening
7- 8:00 PM Film review and Q&A
8 - 8.30 PM Networking and light refreshments
