Ai Weiwei The Fake Case

Ai Weiwei, the world’s most famous Chinese artist, has always chosen the struggle for human rights over a life of privilege. On his way to Hong Kong he is suddenly kidnapped by the Chinese state, taken away and kept hidden at a secret location, not allowed to make a phone call and refused the right to a lawyer. When he is released it is only to a year of house arrest where he is under constant surveillance, his every move monitored by the state. The question is if he should continue to risk his life for the Chinese people or save it for his child. This film follows Ai Weiwei right after his release from three months in isolated detention. He is grounded in his house in Beijing, on probation and under tight surveillance and restrictions by the Chinese authorities. He is met with a lawsuit, which he soon names ‘The Fake Case'” referring to the name of his company “Fake”, but more so to the false reasons behind the accusations. After his release Ai Weiwei starts at a zero, marked as he is by the pressure, the detention and the Kafkan opacity. But slowly he regains his strength and courage, ready to face his opponents even though their powers are mighty. Ai Weiwei has a firm belief that China is ready for change and the headstrong, caged bear starts to move again. It becomes a year full of uncertainties, personal despair and unfair court cases, where Ai Weiwei heads into trouble, breaks the rules, provokes and intimidates secret agents and makes a fight and a fuss. But during this period of his life, he finds new ways to express himself in his art in order to continue to be a free human being and simply staying alive, giving voice to himself and the Chinese people