The People's Court: Introducing the Rule of Law in China 2007
Distributed by Films Media Group, PO Box 2053, Princeton, New Jersey 08543-2053; 800-257-5126
Produced by Wide Angle
Directed by Bruno Sorrentino
DVD, color, 57 min.
Sr. High - Adult
Law, Political Science, International Law
Date Entered: 05/19/2008
Reviewed by Lauren Aldridge, Huddleston Bolen LLP Law Library, Huntington, WVThis film documents China's struggle to rethink its legal system in response to increased pressure from home and abroad for a fair system of law. In the past 25 years, China has created hundreds of law schools and has trained hundreds of thousands of lawyers and judges for its new legal system. The contrast between the treatment of migrant peasants and life long urban citizens is stark. China's new legal system aims to provide social justice to those citizens who have never known it.
The film shows several real life cases as they progress through court. Law students and professors, judges, lawyers, litigants and criminals are interviewed about the legal process they play a role in. A mobile court with judges and lawyers that travel to the far reaches of the country to hear legal matters is featured. Lawyers and judges are shown mediating divorce cases, property disputes, and criminal matters. Although the new Chinese legal system is meant to be fair for all citizens, the film shows examples of how the new and growing system still struggles with issues such as distrust of the court and government by the vast majority of citizens, and instances when Communist ideals conflict with the new legal principles.
The People's Court provides an interesting look into Chinese law and society. This film is appropriate for high school through adult ages.