Introduction

The story of twenty-one American POWs who, after the Korean War ended, chose to live in China instead of returning the US.

Outline

In this feature documentary, Oscar®-nominated filmmaker Shuibo Wang (Sunrise Over Tiananmen Square) aims his camera at the astonishing story of 21 American soldiers who opted to stay in China after the Korean War ended in 1954. Back home in the United States, McCarthyism was at its height and many Americans believed these men were brainwashed by Chinese communists. But what really happened? Using never-before-seen footage from the Chinese camps and interviews with former prisoners of war and their families, They Chose China tells the fascinating stories of these forgotten American dissidents.

Production & Filming Details

• Director(s):
  • Shui-Bo Wang.
• Producer(s):
  • Claude Bonin … producer.
  • Joanne Carrière … associate producer.
  • Éric Michel … executive producer: NFB.
  • Véronique Rabuteau … associate producer (as Veronique Rabuteau).
  • Paul Saadoun … executive producer: 13 Productions.
• Writer(s):
• Music:
  • Peter Chase.
• Cinematography:
  • Sylvestre Guidi.
• Editor(s):
  • Ragnar Van Leyden.
• Production:
  • 13 Productions.
  • ARTE.
  • National Film Board of Canada (NFB).
• Distributor(s):
  • Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) (2008) (Canada) (TV).
  • Icarus Films (USA) (DVD).
• Release Date: 2005 and 05 April 2006 (Chicago Asian American Showcase, US).
• Running Time: 52 minutes.
• Rating: Unknown.
• Country: Canada.
• Language: English.

Video Link