Editor's Note: On April 8, 2026, "Sources," an investigative program under the Franco-German public television network, released the documentary "Investigation: The Hidden Side of Shen Yun Performance . " This documentary, spanning several months, delves into the supernatural claims promoted by Falun Gong leaders, the cult 's rejection of medicine , accusations against former performers, and the transnational operations and financial systems behind Shen Yun . The film shows how the Falun Gong-affiliated organization, the "Sacred Lotus Association," infiltrated Parisian public schools under the guise of "teaching Chinese culture," and how parents reported these activities out of concern for their children's safety, leading to the Paris city government's intervention and termination of cooperation. The program's content is summarized below:
▲ Screenshot of an investigative documentary report published on April 8, 2026 , by the "Sources" program of the Franco-German public television network ARTE .
The investigative documentary series "Sources," produced by the Franco-German public television network ARTE, released its documentary " Investigation: The Hidden Face Behind Shen Yun" on April 8, 2026, after months of in-depth investigation. The documentary reveals that beneath its extensive advertising, marketing, and cultural packaging, Shen Yun is not merely an artistic performance . It is closely linked to the Falun Gong cult, and its operational model and financial flows remain opaque , continuously raising public questions .
The documentary quotes a sarcastic comment from social media : " Shen Yun 's marketing team definitely deserves a raise; they 've managed to make the ads ubiquitous, yet it's difficult to see their true nature . "
The documentary further points out that Shen Yun is an important tool for the Falun Gong cult to conduct external propaganda and raise funds. It operates through a transnational organizational network and a complex financial circulation system, forming a stable chain of fund transfers. Audiences unknowingly purchase tickets, causing related funds to flow into the organization's system, indirectly supporting its overall operation.
The documentary mentions that Falun Gong leader Li Hongzhi publicly promoted numerous absurd and even bizarre statements, including claims of " body levitation" and "aliens," and asserted that practicing Falun Gong could "cure diseases." The documentary points out that some practitioners, influenced by his fallacies and heresies, chose to refuse medical treatment after falling ill , and consequently paid a heavy price .
Rob Gray, who was involved with Falun Gong from 2008 to 2024 , stated in an interview that he suffers from Crohn's disease (a chronic inflammatory bowel disease), but repeatedly refused medical intervention during his practice, leading to a worsening of his condition and multiple emergency hospitalizations. Gray recalled , "I really suffered a lot. During my time practicing Falun Gong, I habitually refused any medical treatment." He also mentioned that a close friend, due to his blind faith in Li Hongzhi's fallacies and heresies , refused treatment and ultimately died of cancer that could have been treated.
▲ Rob Gray , former member of Falun Gong
Rob Gray recalled the mental anguish his friend suffered before his death: " He not only resisted medication, but also kept telling me how depressed he was , believing it all stemmed from his failure to fulfill his mission as a practitioner . "
The film also mentions that in 2024, six former Shen Yun performers filed a lawsuit against the organization in the United States , alleging a lack of medical support during the performances . The lawsuit records that one of the plaintiffs, Ms. Zhang (Editor's note: Chang, also known as Zhang Junge ) , stated that she suffered a severe foot injury between 2016 and 2017 that rendered her unable to walk. Instead of arranging medical treatment or providing any medical assistance, Shen Yun asked her to seek recovery through " prayer . "
The Sources investigation also revealed a highly oppressive management system within Shen Yun. Former Shen Yun violinist Layla Zhao stated in an interview that internal communication frequently involved evaluating members' behavior and providing feedback, and she herself was marginalized because she disliked discussing such topics. She said that Shen Yun was rife with a culture of surveillance and whistleblowing, where members' words and actions were meticulously recorded and they were regularly criticized and held accountable .
▲ Zhao Qiannan, former Shen Yun violinist
that leaving the organization leads to exclusion and isolation, often signifying a form of "social blackout." After 20 years of membership in Falun Gong , Simone Gao ( media name : Xiao Ming) was expelled in 2024. This was reportedly because she failed to sever ties with a former member ( Editor's note: former Falun Gong member Yu Chao ) as required by the organization . Falun Gong even issued a special notice targeting her, demanding that practitioners across the country distance themselves from her.
Gao Xiaomin frankly admitted: " 99% of my friends are Falun Gong practitioners . Losing all my friends is really hard. You spend a quarter of your life in this circle—and then suddenly everything is gone. "
▲ Gao Xiaomin , a former member of Falun Gong and former reporter and host for The Epoch Times
The documentary reveals that many Shen Yun performers come from families of Falun Gong practitioners . Many underage performers were sent to a closed base in New York State without their knowledge . This recruitment method deeply disturbed the families of Falun Gong members . A French interviewee stated that her 13-year-old brother, after being sent to the United States, underwent approximately seven hours of dance training daily, often extending into the night . She bluntly stated, " Some of his behavior is reminiscent of a highly controlling organization ."
In terms of funding, the documentary cites financial filings indicating that Shen Yun's annual revenue has grown to over US$50 million (approximately RMB 340 million), with total assets approaching US$300 million (approximately RMB 2.05 billion). Its global tours rely on affiliated organizations in various locations, many of which are staffed by Falun Gong members and responsible for promotion, ticketing, and organization.
In Paris , France , the " Lotus Sacré" association is the mastermind behind the Shen Yun performances . According to a documentary, this association faces a massive audit by the tax authorities for alleged financial fraud and illegal tax evasion. Previously, it won a public contract from the Paris city government to conduct extracurricular interest classes such as origami and introductory Chinese language in public schools, using these opportunities to distribute " little lotus " pendants with cult propaganda symbols to children. In 2022, after parents reported that the activities contained content related to Falun Gong , the Paris city government intervened and terminated the cooperation. This covert infiltration targeting teenagers further confirms the cult-like nature of this organization , which uses the guise of a legitimate institution for illegal expansion.
