(Minghui.org) NTD TV released a new documentary: Unbroken: The Untold Story of Shen Yun, and held a red carpet premiere in Manhattan, New York on the evening of March 24, 2026. This marked the 20th anniversary of the founding of Shen Yun Performing Arts as well as the group’s return to New York’s Lincoln Center for 18 shows.

The film, which took a year to produce, tells the story of the world’s top Chinese classical dance company. The premiere was held at AMC Lincoln Square, and over a hundred VIPs, including New York city council members, celebrities, as well as Shen Yun artists, attended the event. The documentary was also launched online globally.

Shen Yun artists wore gowns designed by Shen Yun’s artistic director Mr. D.F., which were inspired by China’s ancient dynasties. Gracing the red carpet welcome ceremony before the premiere, the artists added a touch of traditional culture to the event. Dignitaries gathered at the theater, and it was a full house. The audience clapped enthusiastically at the end of the screening.

The premiere of the documentary “Unbroken: The Untold Story of Shen Yun” was held at the AMC Lincoln Center in Manhattan on March 24, 2026. Seven Shen Yun dancers graced the red carpet before the premiere wearing gowns that drew inspiration from ancient dynasties in China. (Screenshot courtesy Shen Yun Zuopin)

Shen Yun dancers attended the premiere of the documentary Unbroken: The Untold Story of Shen Yun in New York on March 24. (Screenshot courtesy The Epoch Times)

A panel discussion was held after the world premiere of Unbroken: The Untold Story of Shen Yun. The film’s creators and Shen Yun artists answered questions from the audience.

Steven Lance, executive producer of the documentary and MC of the panel discussion, said the film is, to date, “The first, deep glimpse behind the scenes,” “rather in-depth and close distance” opportunity to get to know Shen Yun artists. Many attendees said the documentary was soul stirring and deeply moving.

Steven Lance, executive producer of the documentary at the world premiere of Unbroken: The Untold Story of Shen Yun.

The film follows Lance’s investigations, and viewers follow him backstage, through the story of Levi Browde’s family. Its tells the story of Shen Yun artists’ lives and journeys beyond the stage.

Through the perspective of Browde’s two sons, Jesse and Lucas Browde, principal dancers in Shen Yun, and other performers, viewers witness how Shen Yun artists craft their art and overcome challenges in their lives and careers. Particularly in the face of overseas assaults and threats by the CCP’s secret manipulation, how they move forward resiliently despite hardship. The film presents the extraordinary journey of Shen Yun artists.

Film Director: I Admire the Artists’ Strength and Courage

The film’s director, Fiona Young, said, “These artists endure tremendous pressure from the CCP, including bomb threats, media attacks, disputes while touring around the world. How much pressure do they go through while performing?” This was the angle she used in the story, “For two decades, Shen Yun Performing Arts spread the truth and traditional culture through outstanding arts, this is not just about dance and art, it also talks about the CCP’s transnational repression. I hope the film sounds the alarm for all Americans who love freedom.”

To those who don’t know Shen Yun, Young said, “This is a story about resilience. When there’s a lot of interference, noise around you, and attempts to suppress you, how does one maintain a tenacious spirit and continue to pursue arts and tell the world your story.”

Young said that when she interviewed many Shen Yun artists, she felt an indomitable and special quality, “Very upright and extremely resilient. This manifests in their craft. I can feel this tenacity when they dance and the courage behind it.” She also mentioned something that surprised her. The two main characters – brothers Jesse and Lucas were able to balance dance and life so well. She said, “They overcame difficulties, put in effort, steadily controlled their bodies on stage, at the same time, they cherish and enjoy their present life.”

Levi Browde: Adversity Makes Us Stronger

Levi Browde, one of the main creators of the film at the premiere.

The film narrates the story of two young Shen Yun artists, Levi Browde’s sons, and how they and their family face hardship and overcome challenges. Many people were moved by the story. Browde, one of the main creators who is also the director of the Falun Dafa Information Center, has been exposing the CCP’s brutal persecution of Falun Gong (Falun Dafa) in Western society for 26 years. He said he is able to keep doing this because he knows it is the right thing, “I was always clear what is right, what is wrong. I never swayed on this. Therefore the main thing is to persist, be clear on it, keep moving forward knowing I am walking on the right path.”

He also mentioned that when his family faced assaults and threats, it did bring a lot of pressure but at the same time it also brought the family closer together, “I felt it made us stronger to a certain extent. These experiences also made the children more steadfast on their mission. This is a battle we face together.”

Browde also shared the many changes after the two brothers joined Shen Yun, “They became more responsible, they did things more responsibly, they also became more resilient physically and mentally. This was incomparable to when they were at home.” He laughed and said, “You can see from their physique and behavior. Before, they often sat on the sofa, it was hard to get them to go running. Now, they train 3 to 5 hours every day, they are in great shape, and are able to endure intensive training. This is completely different from before.”

Alison Chen: My Experience in Shen Yun Continues to Benefit Me

Alison Chen, one of the main creators of the film, said her experience in Shen Yun continues to benefit her.

Alison Chen, one of the main creators of the film, toured with Shen Yun for many years. When asked why she wanted to speak out for Shen Yun and participate in the film production despite leaving Shen Yun, she said, “So many of the media reports are very one-sided—they make Shen Yun appear like an extreme group using exaggerated language. This is not my experience when I was with Shen Yun.” “I want to let everyone know: Shen Yun artists love what they do, they are full of passion for their art.”

She said she began practicing Falun Gong as a young child, and she grew up in California. She is able to practice cultivation and her faith freely, so she wants more people to know about the persecution taking place in China. This was one of the reasons she wanted to join Shen Yun initially.

Alison said her time with Shen Yun brought various rewards that she still benefits from today, “At Shen Yun, I understood good results come from efforts. It needs patience and resilience. While touring, although it looks like a perfect show, it requires one to overcome many difficulties and put in a lot of effort in the process.” She continued, “These experiences shaped my character, how I see things. Now, when I work on new projects, when there are challenges, I choose to face it and not give up easily, I also try my best to persist.”

Lecturer at Fei Tian Academy: Shen Yun’s Inheritance of Culture and Faith Has Profound Significance

Zhang Tianliang, lecturer at Fei Tian Academy, said Shen Yun’s upholding faith and transmitting the arts to the next generation is significant in today’s society.

Zhang Tianliang, a media host and lecturer at Fei Tian Academy, attended the premiere with his wife. He said that since the founding of Shen Yun Performing Arts two decades ago, it has been constantly sabotaged and vilified by the CCP, “This is the first time Shen Yun has its own documentary. It’s a great opportunity to present Shen Yun’s true story to people.”

When asked how the group continued to persist in its mission despite years of suppression, he said, “The documentary also mentioned, it is the power of their faith. From audience feedback all these years, we can see that the persecution of Falun Gong, the firm belief Falun Gong practitioners show in the face of persecution, and the salvation by gods, and buddhas—these are the parts in the show that move many people to tears. It is very powerful to present the truth through the arts.”

Zhang Tianliang thinks Shen Yun’s firm conviction and passing on of the arts has deep significance in today’s society. He explained that, “Human society has always been able to continue by following a belief. If its loses the foundation of faith, then this civilization will start to decline. Upholding this kind of traditional faith and value is the basis for an ethnic group’s ability to continue to progress. I think whether it is Falun Gong or Shen Yun, what they are doing now is such a meaningful thing.”

New York District Leader: I Will Continue to Stand With Falun Gong Practitioners

Martha Flores-Vazquez, district leader for Flushing, said she will continue to stand with Falun Gong practitioners.

Martha Flores-Vazquez, New York democrat district leader for Flushing, attended the premiere. She said as district leader for Flushing for many years, she has continued to speak out for persecuted Falun Gong practitioners particularly among some of the Falun Gong practitioners she knew, some of their family members were tortured to death in China for their belief. This makes her very sad.

After watching the documentary, she said she was touched, “When I return home, I will be very encouraged by what happened today. I admire the production team’s investigations. They [the CCP] also tried to slander me but I withstood the pressure and continue to stand with Falun Gong practitioners. I will continue to stand with you.”

Unbroken: The Untold Story of Shen Yun also premiered online globally that night.

The film premiered online on March 24, 7 p.m (EST) and will be available until April 12, 2026.