IMDb 0 2019 HD

Tremble and Obey

Tremble and Obey

2019
Documentary
48 min G NA
0 IMDB

30 years on from the Chinese state's brutal put-down of a student-led pro-democracy protest in 1989, ABC Australia looks back through its video archive to unearth never-before-seen footage…

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Starring
Wu'er Kaixi / Rose Tang

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

powerful sobering important historical raw challenging vital memory sensitive suppressed illuminating impactful

Reviews

S
Sophia Chen
Apr 6, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

This is a documentary that demands to be seen. 'Tremble and Obey' leverages ABC Australia's extensive video archive to present startling, never-before-publicly-seen footage of the 1989 pro-democracy protests in China. The film's tone is one of sober remembrance,…

M
Marcus Bell
Apr 6, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

Thirty years after the events, 'Tremble and Obey' presents a collection of archival footage from ABC Australia concerning the 1989 protests in China. The film's purpose is clear: to counter the state's erasure of this historical moment. While…

P
Penelope Davies
Apr 6, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

'Tremble and Obey' is a significant archival excavation, bringing to light footage of the 1989 Chinese pro-democracy protests that has been deliberately obscured. ABC Australia's commitment to preserving this material is commendable. The film's strength lies in its…

J
Julian Croft
Apr 6, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

As a historical document, 'Tremble and Obey' is invaluable. The unearthing of ABC Australia's 1989 protest footage is a significant achievement, offering a stark contrast to the official narrative that has sought to erase these events. The film's…

E
Eleanor Vance
Apr 6, 2026
4.5 / 5
4.5

Thirty years on, ABC Australia's 'Tremble and Obey' offers a potent, unflinching look back at the 1989 pro-democracy protests in China. The unearthed archival footage is the film's undeniable strength, providing a visceral, never-before-seen perspective on a pivotal…

FAQs

Given the highly sensitive nature of the 1989 pro-democracy protests and their brutal suppression, 'Tremble and Obey' approaches the subject matter with a documentary ethos focused on presenting unearthed archival evidence. By relying on ABC Australia's extensive video archive and the testimonies of key figures, the film allows the footage and personal accounts to speak for themselves. This approach aims to provide a factual and impactful account, respecting the gravity of the events without resorting to sensationalism, while acknowledging the state's efforts to erase this history.