All Static & Noise, created in partnership with Art for Human Rights, is a powerful documentary that exposes China’s system of Uyghur and Kazakh “re-education” camps through the personal stories of survivors and exiles.
In October 2024, All Static & Noise, a documentary directed by David Novack and supported by Art for Human Rights, premiered in France at the Lincoln Cinema. The film confronts the brutal realities of state-sponsored oppression in Western China faced by Uyghur and Kazakh individuals and brings to light the systemic human rights abuses perpetrated under the guise of counterterrorism and cultural assimilation.
Through personal testimonies, the documentary follows the stories of Jewher Ilham and Abduweli Ayup. Jewher, the daughter of the imprisoned Uyghur scholar Ilham Tohti, was pushed into activism after she was separated from her father as he was detained at the Beijing airport and prevented from traveling to the United States. Following this experience, she was left to speak on his behalf.
Abduweli Ayup, a linguist and poet, was imprisoned and tortured for his efforts to preserve the Uyghur language through education. Now living in exile, he continues to advocate for the survival of his culture and people.
The film weaves together over 300 hours of interviews with survivors and exiles across Turkey, Kazakhstan, Europe, and the United States. Since its premiere at the 2023 DocEdge Festival (where it won Best Picture in the Crime & Conspiracy category), the film has garnered international recognition. It has been featured in numerous festivals, including the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival, FIFDH Geneva, and the HUMAN International Documentary Film Festival.
All Static & Noise exemplifies the role of art in human rights advocacy. It doesn’t just document human rights abuses but also serves as a catalyst for international dialogue and action.