Badass Beauty Queen Documentary Screening

Proudly to be part of La Fiesta 2022, the special documentary of BADASS BEAUTY QUEEN, the story behind Miss World contestant Anastasia Lin using her most powerful weapon, her beauty to stand up to an oppressive regime, will be screening on 8 March at the Ladies' Rest, Whanganui. Tickets are availabe from the Women's Network.

BADASS BEAUTY QUEEN is the story behind Miss World contestant Anastasia Lin using her most powerful weapon, her beauty to stand up to an oppressive regime.

The story of Canada’s Miss World, Anastasia Lin burst onto front pages when her father, who lives in China was threatened by Chinese security forces because of Anastasia’s public stance on human rights violations in that country. Unbeknown to her she had been declared ‘persona non grata’ by authorities preventing her from traveling to Sanya, China to represent Canada at the 2015 Miss World Pageant. Her attempt to enter the country played out on the world stage, landing her on the front page of The New York Times, appearing on CNN, Der Spiegel, Cosmopolitan and other major media outlets. Despite not being able to compete in the finals that year, Anastasia becomes the beauty queen who captures the world’s attention. Drama, danger and fear follow Anastasia as she becomes the darling of the human rights community, using her beauty and notoriety to bring the world’s attention to an increasing list of China’s atrocities: the persecution of prisoners of conscience and forced human organ harvesting. All this, while dealing with the very real heartbreak of endangering her father’s life. Anastasia constantly finds herself in dilemma—having to choose between speaking out and staying silent.

Invited again to represent Canada at the 2016 Miss World Finals, this time held in Washington D.C., Anastasia is ultimately silenced by the Miss World organization, a British corporation who lists five Chinese based companies as sponsors and partners. During the pageant the world press clamours for interviews as Anastasia faces increased pressure with the situation of her father in China worsening. Prevented by the Miss World organization from going to the media to shine a spotlight on the persecution, which has become the only weapon to protect her father, Anastasia contemplates dropping out of the pageant. An unlikely human rights crusader, Anastasia puts everything on the line to stay true to her conscience, including her father’s safety and a chance at the crown.

Film Festivals & Awards

Official Selection VAFF Vancouver Asian Film Festival 2018

Official Selection RIFF Real Film Festival Newcastle 2018

Official Selection CDFF Chagrin Documentary Film Festival 2018
Opening Night Film

Official Selection RIFFA Regina International Film Festival 2018
Nominated ‘Best Canadian Documentary Feature’ 2018

Official Selection AAIF41 Asian American International Festival 2018

Official Selection Women’s Film Festival San Diego 2018

Official Selection DisOrient Asian Film Festival of Oregon 2018

Official Selection Queensworld Film Festival 2018
Nominated ‘Best Director Doc Feature’ 2018

List of Recommended Films Spring 2018
National Coalition of Girls’ Schools (NCGS)

Official Selection Dallas VideoFest 30 Film Festival 2017
Film Premiere