For more than two years, Sylvie Levey negotiated with the Chinese authorities for the possibility to film in prison, in order to tell the stories of women condemned for ‘high crimes’ (murder or drug trafficking). Finally, she was allowed access to the Women’s Prison of Songjiang, in the suburbs of Shanghai.

An, Liu, and Long belong to the 900 prisoners of Songjiang (a jail built in 1996, which is neither the most modern in China, nor the worst). They have agreed to share (under the surveillance of the guards) their story (from their childhood to the moment of their crimes).

This film shows some of the issues within Chinese society: domestic violence, precariousness of female migrants in cities, temptation to deal drugs in order to survive…

“High Crimes” also opens an exceptional window on the inner workings of a Chinese prison: life in the cells, compulsory work, military discipline alternating with leisure time, and… the famous “gai zao” – the re-education of the soul. For the ones who won’t be condemned to death after their two years of “suspended sentence”, this re-education is surprisingly paternalistic (the main subject of the film) and has the ultimate aim of “re-integrating” of the criminals into society.

The film was awarded “LES ETOILES DE LA SCAM” prize (May 2006), and the best documentary film prize at the Festival of Scoop & Journalism in Angers (December 2004).

Documentary maker Sylvie Levey will be present at our screening. 

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