The Legacy 1979-89
Written and narrated by Edward Behr.
The events of June 1989 transformed the lives of the Chinese people, and cast a shadow over the future of China. It was an especially bitter blow to those Chinese who had returned at the end of the Cultural Revolution to build a new China.
Alfred Yu, astrophysicist and member of the National
People's Congress, was visiting Australia with a scientific delegation when martial law was declared in May. Blacklisted, he feared to return. Peng Wenlan , a television reporter, wanted
Chinese television to become 'the voice of the people', not 'the voice of the Party'. She was devastated by the brutality of the government. Through the eyes of the Chinese themselves, The
Legacy helps explain why the students were demanding freedom, democracy and an end to corruption.
Film editor DIANA DATHAN
Series producer PETER FIRSTBROOK Producer CLAIRE WALMSLEY BBCElstree