Quebec actors of Chinese descent refused to play at the Théâtre Duceppe for fear of retaliation from China

Duceppe Theater has struggled to hire actors of Chinese descent for its new play, which opened Wednesday in Montreal about the massacre in Tian'anmen Square, because many of the actors fear retaliation from the Chinese government.

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It is difficult to find a clearer example of the ramifications of Chinese intervention on Canadian citizens. We have no idea to what extent the Chinese system still has a place in life [des Québécois d’origine chinoise] “It's about influencing their decisions, even if they no longer live in China,” says David Loren, co-director of the Duceppe Theater.

The latter was present during the 2020 auditions for the play chimerica, Which will be shown for a month in Montreal. About two dozen Quebecois actors of Chinese descent have been called in, and the play is set in French, English and Mandarin.

A photo of the play “Chimerica” ​​currently being shown at the Duceppe Theater.

Photo courtesy of Duceppe Theater

He had never seen anything like it before

“At lunchtime, we noticed that between half and a third of the actors had not shown up for the audition, something that never happened. [dans le milieu du théâtre]. There are very few auditions in Quebec, and when they are there, I can guarantee that the actors travel! L said Newspaper.

It was a translator present on site who revealed to the casting director that some of the actors had actually been reluctant for several days to appear at the auditions, fearing retaliation from Beijing because of the subject of the play (Look over there).

“It was this translator who made us understand that these people were risking a lot […] By going to bring these words on stage and saying yes, Tian Anmen, it was truly a massacre that left thousands dead, these [comédiens] “It goes against what the Chinese regime wants people to know,” David Loren explains.

Real danger

Eventually, the six actors needed to run the play were hired, some of whom indicated that they were willing to do so because they planned to never return to China.

“that it [pendant le processus d’auditions] We understand how serious the matter is and that talk of spying on Chinese citizens is not a myth. It's very real. The average salary of an actor in Quebec is not very high. “If you refuse to go to the test because you feel at risk, then that risk is serious,” Mr. Loren says.

Actor Alexandre Goyette also expressed his regret over the situation over the show's microphone Since you have to wake up on 98.5 FM Thursday morning. “It's disgusting, but it's reality. We talked about Chinese secret police stations spread across Canada […] Asian actors who starred in this show […]It's very brave of them.

Photo courtesy of Duceppe Theater

This fear of retaliation does not surprise pro-democracy activists like McGill University cybersecurity professor and Action for the Liberation of Hong Kong Montreal spokesperson Benjamin Fung.

“I'm not surprised. People are afraid of China, even in Canada. This is also the case for the Hong Kong community. When we started organizing events in 2019, we had 200 participants. Today, less than ten people show up. They are afraid of being photographed.” [par des gens qui travaillent pour le régime chinois]”, He said.

When asked to comment, the Artists Syndicate said it was “extremely sensitive” to performers’ fear of retaliation, but noted that its means of action were limited because the situation involved a foreign country.

Why are they afraid?

We asked Artur Wilczynski, a former senior national security official now at the University of Ottawa, why some Chinese citizens fear Beijing's displeasure.

Q: Do the actors of Chinese descent who refused to participate in this play have reason to fear retaliation?

a. The play depicting what happened in Beijing at Tiananmen Square represents a real problem for the Chinese government. He does not want this historical event to be recognized, especially by members of the Chinese diaspora. I understand why some actors want to avoid risk.

Q: Why does the Chinese government react so greatly to mention of this historical event?
Editor's note: Student and labor demonstrations in the spring of 1989 that ended in the deaths of thousands of Chinese.

a. This historical event showed two things: First, that this part of the Chinese people is struggling against the government and for democracy. This frightens the Communist Party, for which the most important thing is control. However, what happened in Tian'anmen Square was precisely the lack of control that led China to resort to its military. Thousands of people have been killed by their government. This is something the government wants to deny and hide at any cost.

Q: Does Beijing really care what its citizens say and do abroad?

a. Depends on. A demonstration or play commemorating the Tiananmen Square Massacre is significant enough to anger the government of the People's Republic of China. I wouldn't be surprised if a play with this profile would attract the interest of the Chinese government. […] There are formal and informal networks that conduct monitoring. In this case, someone in the community will undoubtedly file a report and send a message to members of the Chinese government who will take note.

Q: What are the possible retaliations against a Chinese citizen in Canada who displeases Beijing?

a. If one wants to return to China, the visa may be refused. It then becomes impossible to return to see the family, who may themselves suffer negative consequences. This can affect children's admission to Chinese universities, access to jobs, etc., as all aspects of life in China are controlled by government decisions.

Photo courtesy of Duceppe Theater

Chimerica

• Piece by British Lucy Kirkwood.
• It deals with the legendary image of the man who stood alone in front of a column of tanks crossing Beijing, on the second day of the bloody repression in Tiananmen Square.
• It is showing at the Théâtre Duceppe until February 17.