Vancouver, Canada: Documentary "State Organs" Screened, Audience Calls to Stop the Forced Organ Harvesting in China

(Minghui.org) The award-winning documentary State Organs was screened at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts in Burnaby, Canada, on April 27, 2025. Well-known human rights lawyer David Matas attended the event and participated in a Q&A session after the screening. He encouraged everyone to take action, even in small ways, to help stop the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s human rights abuses. Many in the audience were shocked by the evidence revealed in the film and called for an end to the forced organ harvesting in China.

Peabody Award winner Raymond Zhang directed the documentary and took seven years to make. It exposes the CCP’s forced organ harvesting through the painful journeys of two families searching for their missing loved ones. The film shows that these crimes are still happening in China.

Speaking about why he made the documentary, Raymond said that in 2016, he interviewed Zheng Zhi, a former intern doctor at the Shenyang Army General Hospital. He said the interview was very difficult. On the first day, Zheng, who witnessed forced organ harvesting, broke down emotionally several times. “He rushed to the bathroom, turned on the faucet, and cried for a very long time,” Raymond recalled.

“The next day, I continued the interview. After we finished, Zheng had tears in his eyes and said, ‘You don’t know that I used to live in constant fear every day, like someone was always chasing me. I had frequent nightmares. But after this interview, it feels like a huge weight was lifted. It was as if my life had been saved.”

This deeply moved Raymond and strengthened his decision to make a film that would expose these crimes.

Producer Cindy Song said, “Over the past 20 years, during the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong, many doctors were trained to do terrible things. When doctors carry out these acts without any guilt, they’ve already become like monsters. In this kind of situation, no one is truly safe.”

Renowned Human Rights Lawyer David Matas: We Have a Lot of Evidence

Director Raymond Zhang (left), renowned human rights lawyer David Matas (center), and producer Cindy Song (right) answer questions from the audience after the screening. (The Epoch Times)

During the Q&A session after the screening, David Matas shared with the audience that in 2006, after the news broke about forced organ harvesting from Falun Gong practitioners in Sujiatun, Shenyang, he and David Kilgour, former Canadian Secretary of State for Asia and the Pacific, were invited to conduct an independent investigation.

He said their investigation looked into 30 different aspects and found that forced organ harvesting by the CCP has been happening since 2000, and there is overwhelming evidence to support this. The main victims were Falun Gong practitioners, with smaller numbers of Uyghurs from Xinjiang, house church members, and others.

David Matas pointed out that they uncovered a lot of evidence. For example, among those detained illegally, only Falun Gong practitioners were required to undergo blood tests every six months. He said this raised serious questions: “Was this done to match blood types for organ transplants?”

They also hired investigators to call hospitals directly. Shockingly, some doctors openly said that the organs came from Falun Gong practitioners and could be made available quickly. Meanwhile, the Chinese government strongly denied everything and blocked or delayed international investigators from visiting, clearly trying to hide the truth and destroy evidence.

Now at 82 years old, David Matas continues to travel around the world, raising awareness about these crimes. His work has led to two Nobel Peace Prize nominations.

He told reporters, “Because the CCP is in power, they deny everything and even carry out cross-border suppression and large-scale propaganda. I know a lot about this issue because I’ve been involved for a long time.”

David Matas stressed that even if the CCP falls, there will still be the challenge of bringing the criminals to justice and uncovering all the records. “The fight for human rights never ends,” he said.

“I Cried. It Broke My Heart”

Alice (alias), who is originally from Hong Kong, said after watching the film: “It really broke my heart. I cried. It feels like people’s consciences are gone. It’s just too much. As long as the CCP is in power, it can keep hurting people. And it’s not just one person. It’s happening to many, many people. I think we need to stay strong. We all need to unite and stand up against the CCP.”

Jack (alias), an immigrant from Hong Kong, said the documentary fully exposed the actions of the CCP. He added, “I hope more people will help spread the word so others can see how terrifying the CCP really is.”

Mr. Jiang from Hong Kong admires the courage of Falun Gong practitioners. (The Epoch Times)

Mr. Jiang, also from Hong Kong, told reporters: “Watching this film was painful. I’ve been arrested by Hong Kong police nine times, so I know what it’s like to be suppressed by the CCP. I really admire Falun Gong practitioners. Even when facing life and death, they still chose to hold on to their beliefs. I think that’s truly courageous.”

He also added that in the face of such serious crimes, the international community must not only speak out, but also take real action.

Yen Liao, a young man of Taiwanese heritage, came to watch State Organs. He said, “Forced organ harvesting by the CCP is a serious human rights violation. We hope this documentary and the news surrounding it will help Taiwanese people understand that the CCP does not respect human rights. We must not stand with the CCP. We should stay as far away from them as possible.”

Former Candidate of Provincial Parliament Calls for Action: “Spread the Word as Much as We Can”

Former BC Conservative Party candidate Simon Chandler calls on people to help stop the CCP’s organ harvesting crimes. (The Epoch Times)

Simon Chandler, a former British Columbia Conservative Party candidate, shared his thoughts after watching the film: “This (organ harvesting) is happening on such a massive scale. We had no idea it was this widespread. We now have witnesses who escaped China and came to Canada. We believe what they’re saying is credible.”

He called for action: “We need to pay more attention to what’s happening and speak to party leaders, Members of Parliament, provincial lawmakers, and officials in both the U.S. and Canada. We need to tell them about this. We should do everything we can. Canada has close ties with China, and laws like the Foreign Influence Registry Act would help in situations like this.”

Taiwanese Immigrant: Everyone Should Condemn Forced Organ Harvesting

Ruby, a Taiwanese-Canadian living in Vancouver, said: “It’s shocking that forced organ harvesting is actually led or at least approved by the government. No matter what country it happens in, that’s deeply shameful, especially when it’s being deliberately covered up. I think everyone should speak out and condemn this.”

She said that living in a democratic country has helped her appreciate values like freedom and mutual respect, and that makes it easier to see clearly what the CCP is doing. Ruby added that organ donation is supposed to be a sacred act, but the CCP is turning it into a business by forcibly taking organs from people. “That completely defiles the sacred mission of medicine. It’s a huge insult,” she said.

When Everyone Takes Action, Things Will Change

During the Q&A session, Yen Liao, a member of the audience, shared that he had learned about the CCP’s forced organ harvesting years ago. He mentioned that recently, Taiwanese singer Tank went to China for a fast-tracked heart and liver transplant, which sparked widespread concern and questions in Taiwan. Yen asked how more people could come to see the truth about the CCP and help protect democracy and freedom.

David Matas responded that everyone can play a part in stopping these crimes. He encouraged the audience: “No matter who you are or what you do, you can do something. Just do it as part of your everyday life. It’s not about one person doing everything. It’s about many people using their skills, networks, and abilities. That’s how change happens.”

Director Raymond added, “After World War II, people kept saying, ‘Never again.’ But it’s happening again, and it’s still going on now. The good news is that we still have time to stop this new form of genocide. We still have the chance to change the course of history.”

He encouraged everyone to take even small actions, such as sharing what they saw and heard in the film with friends, family, and government officials. “Together, we can help change China and make the world safer and more peaceful,” he said.