CNN Video: Bale Interview

transcript-ed by Maria. Thank you

CNN: 讓我們談談今天的意外，那場發生那房子外面與警衛的對看。你當下是否考慮到自己的安全問題？你是否受到攻擊？是否有肢體上的接觸？

Bale: 喔，那是一定有的，是的，有肢體上的接觸。那看起來很粗魯，不過比對我在今年年初看到的影片，他們似乎都衝著 Stan 以及 Brad 而來，要是我說錯了他們的名字請糾正我。這次他們比較聰明，當他們看到攝影機後，攝影機立刻成為攻擊目標。他們跑向 Brad，他們攻擊他，他們推打他，也攻擊攝影機。我也拿出了我的掌上型攝影機，他們也開始對我做同樣的事情。幾個來支援他們的人也過來了，我緊抓著攝影機不放，他們當時確實很想抓住我，但我知道要是攝影機被沒收，那這段記錄就無法被看見。這段記錄是很重要的，因為如果我們見不到陳光誠，那我們就要讓全世界更多人知道這個不凡的人物所遭受到如此惡劣的待遇。所以我們一定要帶走攝影機，當我看到其他警衛靠過來時，我拼命地想要逃過那些惡棍的攻擊，還好我們都回到了車上。但是危機尚未解除，他們追了我們好一段距離。他們到底想要做什麼？要是抓到我們他們會做什麼舉動？他們是一群不曾表明身分的人。

我讀過他的故事，我被他的人所深深吸引。他是個盲眼的人權律師，他從 24 歲開始自修。你們該看看他住的村莊，能夠在那樣的小地方做出那樣的壯舉，他的人生是如何的完整。但中國政府的力量讓這名男子受到威脅，這就是那樣的社會下所保有的缺點。

我希望我的舉動不會影響到與我合作電影的人們，我誠心希望不要將他們拉入這樣的處境中。我並不覺得這樣的對待代表整個中國，這代表的是在這樣的權力架構下他們對待國民的態度是如此的讓人厭惡。

CNN: Just talking about today, the incident, the confrontation with the private security guards at the house. At any time were you concerned about your safety? Were you hit in any way? Was it physical contact here?

Bale: Oh, absolutely, yeah, it was physical contact. It seemed as though, the difference that I know is from seeing the original footage earlier in this year is that at that time they seemed to be primarily going after Stan and Brad – correct me if I’m wrong, [interviewer’s name] – was more able to get shots of Stan. This time they were smarter to it. As soon as they saw any cameras come out, that became the target, and they rushed at Brad. They were hitting him. They were punching him. They were punching the camera. And then I brought out my own Flip camera, just a tiny little device, and likewise they started doing the same to me as well. I was held as the reinforcements arrived. They definitely wanted to try and hold me on the spot. But I realized that at the very least the camera was going to be taken, and we would have no footage. And that was very much the point, that if we couldn’t get in to see Chen himself, that we had to have footage to show to the world and hopefully to newer audiences exactly what is happening and how vile the treatment of this wonderful man is. And it was essential to get away with that camera. So when I saw the reinforcements arrive, I struggled free from the ringleader, and we all made our way back to the van, which then it didn’t end. They pursued us for many miles. What were they going to do? What was their plan if they were to catch us? And you have to remember throughout all of this, these thugs they do not identify themselves whatsoever.

I started reading about his story. I was inspired by the man himself. I mean, this is a blind human rights lawyer. He taught himself to read at the age of 24. And you should see his village. It’s amazing that the man is able to have the power that he does and to have done what he’s already accomplished in his life. It’s amazing that a super power like China is actually terrified of this man and shows such an intrinsic weakness within the fabric of the country.


I did not mention that I would be doing this to any of my fellow filmmakers. It’s not for me to pull them into an issue that I care about. That’s their choice. This kind of treatment, I do not feel represents the people of China. This represents the power structure and their attitude towards their own citizens, which is disgusting.

我好替 Bale 擔心啊（哭）