Filmmaker Statement

In 1872, the Qing Dynasty government launched the Chinese Educational Mission (CEM), an initiative to send Chinese students to the United States for advanced studies in modern science and technology, aiming to bridge the gap with Western powers. However, by 1881, the program faced cancellation due to a concerning development. As the Chinese students immersed themselves in American schools, they were exposed to Western ideologies such as equality and freedom. This exposure led them to grow increasingly independent and difficult to control for the accompanying Chinese officials, who worried about their loyalty to the Qing empire. Seeking to stigmatize the students and justify the program's termination, the officials submitted multiple reports despite the students' exceptional academic performance. This film draws inspiration from a true 19th-century story, shedding light on a tumultuous period in history.