Two-part VisionTV documentary investigates the most astonishing religious revival in modern history

Whether it's the repression of Tibetan Buddhists, the persecution of Christian evangelists, or the suppression of local folk beliefs, religion tops the list of tough-to-discuss topics in China.

With the subject deemed off-limits to journalists, China’s vast population of religious believers – by some estimates as many as a billion – has been widely overlooked. Until now.

Even though the Chinese government is still accused of suppressing many faiths, officials are cautiously relaxing their grip. Across the country, massive networks of household churches, village temples and regional folk beliefs are powering what has become the most astonishing religious revival in modern history.

China’s Leap of Faith, a two-part documentary for VisionTV, examines both the impact of this spiritual rebirth, and the government’s continued efforts to control religious faith.

Made for VisionTV by Toronto-based Cogent/Benger Productions, China’s Leap of Faith airs on Tuesday July 22 and Wednesday July 23 at 9 p.m. and Midnight ET / 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. PT.

This Canadian television premiere presentation is part of VisionTV’s week-long “God in China” programming event. For more information on this special event, please visit www.visiontv.ca.

The story of how these documentaries were made is itself extraordinary.

Surmounting bureaucratic obstacles, Cogent/Benger gained permission from the Chinese government to present both sides of the regime’s policies and practices with respect to religion.  The production even managed to secure a rare interview with the Chinese Minister of Religion.

“A lot of films are made in China by keeping a low profile and avoiding official notice," said producer/director Christopher Sumpton. “On this project, however, we knew we’d need official permission. That wasn't going to happen without high-level support from the Chinese government. And until now, they haven’t been talking to the foreign press about religion. Like most human rights issues in China, it’s an off-limits topic."

“Historically, regime change in China has often hinged on religious developments, so we had to work very cautiously with the government,” said director Paul Webster. “We had an assigned official who monitored every step we took. Even so, this project marks the government’s acknowledgement that it is now time to start talking about religion.”

Incorporating never-before-seen footage of underground worship, China’s Leap of Faith breaches a wall of official silence to document the tense balancing act between devotees of the great religions and their nervous political masters in Beijing.

Part One, “ The Gods Come Home” (July 22), probes the Chinese government’s scramble to contain the explosive re-awakening of Buddhism, Taoism and traditional folk faiths across China.

Part Two, “The Bamboo Cross” (July 23), charts the rapid growth of Christianity in China and tells the stories of clergy and believers who must choose between worshipping openly or in the shadows.

China’s Leap of Faith was produced by Christopher Sumpton and Robin Benger of Cogent/Benger Productions. Joan Jenkinson is the Executive Producer for VisionTV.

“The Gods Come Home” was co-directed by Paul Webster and Diana Xiaoping Dai. “Bamboo Crosses” was directed by Christopher Sumpton.

China’s Leap of Faith was produced in association with VisionTV, with the participation of the Canadian Television Fund, Telefilm Canada and The Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit Program.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS:

Robin Benger and Christopher Sumpton teamed up in 1997 to produce In Security for the CBC, which then led to Eastside Showdown for the National Film Board of Canada. Cogent/Benger Productions was formed in 1999 to continue in the same vein, producing relevant, creative documentaries such as How To Stop a Hurricane, Money & The Maker, The In-Between World of MG Vassanji, Destiny: The Life & Times of Paul Anka and Wolverine: Devil Of The North. Cogent/Benger's programs have been seen on Canadian networks such as CBC, CTV and Discovery, as well as internationally. Upcoming projects include A Dose of Desire, a film about the new generation of scientific aphrodisiacs, and Skin Trade, a look at the mainstreaming of pornography.

Writer and Director Paul Webster is an award winning magazine writer, and has experience directing documentaries for Canadian, British and German public television. His credits include How to Stop A Hurricane, Feurspringer in Siberien and Death Roe

Diana Xiaoping Dai produced and hosted OMNI Television’s Chinese-language news broadcast for a decade. She has extensive experience as a journalist in China and Britain.