Three influential documentaries on the May 12 catastrophe continue to shine a light on the courage of those who refuse to forget.

By Probe International

This week marked the 18th anniversary of the devastating Wenchuan Earthquake, which struck Sichuan Province on May 12, 2008, claiming tens of thousands of lives. As commemorations unfolded quietly across China, we revisited three influential documentaries that have shaped public understanding of the tragedy and its aftermath. Despite being banned inside China, these films continue to circulate among independent audiences and diaspora viewers, offering unfiltered perspectives on the human cost and the deep systemic issues the disaster revealed.

Ai Weiwei’s “Disturbing the Peace” (2009)

Also known as Lao Ma Ti Hua, Ai Weiwei, the Chinese regime’s most famous critic, chronicles the events surrounding the August 2009 trial of civil rights advocate Tan Zuoren. Tan was charged with “inciting subversion of state power” after investigating the high death toll among schoolchildren in the earthquake zone. His work highlighted allegations of corruption and shoddy construction standards in school buildings, often dubbed “tofu-dreg projects.” The documentary captures the intense atmosphere outside the Chengdu courtroom, where police detained witnesses and supporters. Tan was ultimately sentenced to five years in prison, with an additional three years of deprived political rights.

Available to view on YouTube here [English sub-titles]

Ai Xiaoming’s “Our Children” (2009)

Directed by prominent scholar and filmmaker Prof. Ai Xiaoming. Through intimate interviews with grieving parents who lost sons and daughters, as well as teachers, independent scholars, writers, legal professionals, and environmental activists, Our Children paints a raw portrait of the earthquake’s human toll and the struggles for accountability in its wake. This release soon after the tragedy remains a powerful record of personal stories that official narratives often sidelined.

Available to view here [Not sub-titled]

“China’s Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province” (2009)

An Emmy-nominated entry directed by American filmmakers Jon Alpert and Matthew O’Neill. Initially intending to produce a straightforward educational piece on the earthquake, the team—accompanied by CUNY scholars Prof. Peter Kwong and Prof. Ming Xia—shifted focus after ten days of intense filming. The documentary ultimately captures (in conversation) the profound grief, suffering, and broader social realities laid bare by the disaster. This film is available in English and provides an accessible entry point for international viewers.

Available to view on YouTube here

As the anniversary passes, these films serve as enduring testaments to the voices that seek to remember the victims and examine the full scope of the tragedy.

Related Reading from the Wenchuan Archives