Screening and Q&A Link Above 👆

Up We Soar

follows the beautiful 7-year-old girl Fuyao, who becomes devastated when her parents are arrested and thrown into prison for their faith. Bullied and humiliated, Fuyao refuses to be crushed by the gigantic repressive regime. She and her mom find extraordinary means to connect through iron bars and grow together.

A True Story of Courage, Love, and Perseverance in the Darkest of Times

The Story

Lying in the school playground with her mom, seven-year-old Fuyao has no idea what her future holds. Her news anchor dad is doing forced labor. Her mom is not allowed to teach anymore. She and her mom are under house arrest in the school where her mom used to teach.

Fuyao's parents are victims of Communist China's new round of religious persecution against Falun Gong. A spiritual practice rooted in Buddhist tradition, Falun Gong is followed by millions and thus hated by the communist regime. Since July 1999, Falun Gong books have been banned and burned. The regime’s propaganda machine demonizes the practice. Hundreds of thousands of followers have been arrested. Many are tortured to death.

Amid the persecution, Fuyao’s father, who was working as a news anchor, was forced to do forced labor. Her mother, a teacher, was banned from her job. Fuyao and her mother were placed under house arrest. Fuyao’s mother had to leave her to avoid being arrested. She was later captured and thrown into prison to serve a seven-year term for distributing Falun Gong flyers and DVDs.

But this is not the story of a child who helplessly struggles in the cracks of society. Instead, despite the hardship Fuyao faces, she becomes a key source of inspiration for her scared mom, who is surrounded by murderers, drug dealers, and brutal prison guards. As her mom gradually regains her inner strength, she nurtures and safeguards her daughter Fuyao during her turbulent teenage years, using extraordinary means.

Q&A Session with Li Fuyao

Ask your questions to the protagonist of the story herself, Li Fuyao! She will be joining for the Q&A session through YouTube right after the film, so don't miss it!

Film Runtime: 50 minutes.

This watch together will be on YouTube. Links to the film and Q&A session will be emailed to all RSVPs 24 hours before the screening.