Petition

From all over China, people travel to Beijing to complain about the abuse of power and corruption committed by their local authorities. All walks of life make their way to the anti-corruption officials, including small farmers who have lost their land, workers from factories that have been dismantled and homeowners who have received no compensation after their houses were destroyed. They must wait months and sometimes even years until their complaints are handled. They often hope in vain for a resolution to their problems. In the meantime, they must wait in terrible conditions in Beijing for their complaints to be handled. Filmmaker Zhao Liang has been following these people since 1996. Often using hidden cameras, he reports on the misery endured by the destitute plaintiffs. Special attention is paid to a mother, Qi, who is seeking clarification on the suspicious circumstances under which her husband died in hospital. The image presented by Liang goes against the one the Chinese government would like to give of the country. When the Olympics come to China, the situation for complaining citizens worsens.