‘Unbroken’ Documentary Premiere Marks 20 Years of Shen Yun

As Shen Yun’s 2026 world tour continues, some of our performers made a special stop between performances—swapping the stage for the red carpet. 

They joined filmmakers and VIP guests at the global premiere of “Unbroken: The Untold Story of Shen Yun,” on Tuesday, March 24 at AMC Lincoln Square in New York City. The release of the new award-winning documentary by NTD’s Sincere Pictures comes just in time to celebrate Shen Yun’s 20th anniversary.

The event also set the stage for Shen Yun’s return to Lincoln Center, for two and a half weeks of performances through Sunday, April 12.  

The female principal dancers dazzled as they arrived in gowns inspired by traditional Chinese attire. The handmade dresses, in vibrant hues of yellow, orange, and blue, were designed by Shen Yun Artistic Director D.F., who designs all of Shen Yun’s costumes each year.

Principal dancer Piotr Huang called the premiere “very exciting.”

“I remember 14 years ago, there was a dancer who told me that his dream was to make a movie about Shen Yun,” he said. “Seeing this movie come to life, it’s kind of magical.”

“I feel like this film embodies everything that every Shen Yun artist wants to say,” added dancer Lee Rubacek. “I feel like this really tells the story.”

“Unbroken” follows Shen Yun’s rise as the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company, sharing the beauty of authentic Chinese culture—a vision of “China before communism”—with audiences across the globe. Through the eyes of Shen Yun performers and their families, the film reveals the challenges they face behind the scenes. They persevere through the rigors of perfecting their craft—but also through a large-scale, escalating sabotage campaign linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

After a film screening to a full house, executive producer Steve Lance led a discussion panel with several cast members. They spoke of their journeys with Shen Yun, the targeted interference the company has endured, and the quiet resilience and faith that have kept them going. 

They also emphasized the bigger picture to our story that is often missed. Nearly 100 Shen Yun performers have directly experienced the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong, our shared spiritual faith, in China. Some survived torture and escaped labor camps; others lost parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Part of Shen Yun’s mission is to expose this ongoing human rights crisis. These artists tell stories like their own on stage.

“The film reminded us that some of our dear friends have relatives that are being persecuted in China,” said principal dancer Angela Lin. “Just being able to be with all these strong people next to you, it really motivates you and wants you to do better.”

    

Performers also took Shen Yun’s 20th anniversary as a chance to reflect and express their gratitude.

“Twenty years ago, I was watching Shen Yun, and 10 years later, I was able to meet all the stars I looked up to. Ten years after that, I’m able to call them my best friends,” Lin said. “I’ve found a home in Shen Yun.”

Emcee Leeshai Lemish, one of Shen Yun’s earliest members, expressed “tremendous gratitude for everybody who’s been a part of this journey and supported us.”

With the documentary release, “I’m most excited about what’s going to happen when the world sees the story of Shen Yun,” he said. “People can see who we really are, why we do what we do.”