Hard To Believe

Gr 9 Up—This horrifying exposé of China's practice of harvesting organs from prisoners of conscience, a practice denied by the Chinese government, is based on reporting by author Ethan Gutmann (The Slaughter). It is corroborated by global experts in human rights, medical ethics, and transplant surgery, making a convincing and compelling case. While it occasionally mentions that this practice affects all types of prisoners of conscience, the focus is almost exclusively on members of Falun Gong, a banned spiritual practice. The transplant rate drastically increased after China's 1999 crackdown on its practitioners, and their healthy lifestyles made them ideal donors. The film also makes a credible case linking Falun Gong's relatively low profile in the West with the lack of attention given to organ harvesting, despite the number of Westerners participating in transplant tourism and thus receiving these organs. A screening and discussion guide is also available.