From the time he was a young boy learning about the plight of Holocaust survivors on TV, David Matas has wanted to fight injustice. It was a wish he developed through decades of tireless human rights work, as evidenced in the powerful documentary “The Justice Hunter” (2023) by Canadian filmmaker Yolanda Papini-Pollock.
“I was captivated by his tireless pursuit of justice and his readiness to confront the darkest issues with honesty and courage. David’s journey became, for me, a beacon of hope and resilience in a world often reluctant to face uncomfortable truths,” said Papini-Pollock.
The film, now streaming on NTD Films and Gan Jing World, showcases Matas’s life as a tireless human rights crusader. Since becoming a human rights lawyer, his causes have included bringing Nazi war criminals to justice, helping refugees fleeing war and persecution, and most notably exposing the egregious crime of organ harvesting from prisoners of conscience by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in China.
“Learning about the lives he has touched—whether by helping refugees find safety or exposing human rights atrocities—highlighted the human side of his advocacy and reinforced the importance of telling his story,” said Papini-Pollock.
A Canadian educator turned filmmaker, she first became aware of David Matas after hearing him speak out against antisemitism. She later got the chance to know his human rights work better when she interviewed him for her documentary short, “Painful Truth: The Falun Gong Genocide” (2019).
Falun Gong (also known as Falun Dafa) is a peaceful meditation practice based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. Since 1999, tens of millions of its adherents have been subjected to brutal persecution by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), with tactics including school and workplace intimidation, imprisonment, torture, killing, and, most egregiously, forced organ harvesting, as Matas and Kilgour’s initial 2006 report as well as other subsequent investigations have demonstrated.
It was his work on forced organ harvesting from prisoners of conscience for profit, especially of Falun Gong practitioners, that garnered Matas and his collaborator, the late David Kilgour, a Nobel Peace Prize nomination in 2010. The efforts of Matas and Kilgour, the latter a former Canadian MP and Secretary of State for Asia-Pacific, weren’t just crucial in raising awareness but also led to the introduction of legislation in several countries, including Canada and the United States, to tackle this crime against humanity.
The Making of ‘The Justice Hunter’
Papini-Pollock released “The Justice Hunter,” her documentary honoring David Matas, in 2023. Through extensive interviews, she presented the story of a man who has devoted his life to standing up for justice and speaking out for the human rights of persecuted communities in Canada and around the world.
“Some of the most touching moments [in the filmmaking process] came from hearing about David Matas’s tireless dedication to justice and the profound impact of his work. Speaking with colleagues, friends, and experts who shared insights into his contributions was incredibly moving,” Papini-Pollock said
As the child not only of a Holocaust survivor but also of a refugee from an Arab country, she understands the importance of resilience and justice, but also of the need to amplify unheard voices.
“Before transitioning to filmmaking, I was an educator focused on fostering critical thinking and social responsibility in my students. Filmmaking felt like a natural extension of this mission, allowing me to reach broader audiences and make a greater impact through storytelling,” she said.
Papini-Pollock’s work includes the documentaries “Never Again: A Broken Promise” (2016), which draws connections between the Holocaust, Yazidi, Rwandan, and Indigenous genocides, and “Get Over It: A Path to Healing” (2019), which details the health crisis facing the Indigenous community in Canada.
Through her life experiences and work as a filmmaker and educator, Papini-Pollock has come to realize that addressing human rights issues is a process that takes patience and dedication. That’s because people may be hesitant to stand up, often due to factors such as apathy, fear, and systemic barriers.
“Many people feel overwhelmed or powerless to address large-scale injustices. Others may prioritize personal or national interests over ethical concerns,” Papini-Pollock said.
There are other factors as well. “Misinformation on social media and even in mainstream media also contributes to misunderstanding or denial. A lack of awareness or failure to humanize victims also plays a significant role.”
Yet, in her view, these situations can be turned around. “Education and exposure to individual stories can break through this indifference, fostering empathy and a sense of responsibility,” she said.
Through her human rights films over the past nine years, Papini-Pollock has tried to counteract many of these issues. “The Justice Hunter,” is one such documentary that seeks to inspire audiences to become active participants in the fight for human rights.
“The message is that justice requires action,” Papini-Pollock said. “Each person has the power to contribute to change, whether through advocacy, education, or simply staying informed.”
Inspiration for Young Readers
As she got to know more about David Matas’s story, Papini-Pollock realized that the message of his life and work wasn’t only inspiring for adults but for children as well.“I envisioned a picture book that could translate his complex and courageous life into a story that children could connect with—a story that would inspire them to consider the power of standing up for others. ’The Justice Hunter‘ picture book is more than a tribute. It’s an invitation to young people to see that one person, with courage and conviction, can fight injustice.”
Published in September 2024, the book opens with a dedication to “all the everyday heroes who work tirelessly to make the world a better place.” It cherishes “the ones who show kindness in both small and significant ways, who stand up for what is right even when it is difficult, and who believe that every act of love and courage can spark a brighter future.”
Through dynamic illustrations, Papini-Pollock’s picture book portrays David Matas as a cape-wearing superhero, someone “who makes hearts grow.” The story starts with him as a young boy in Winnipeg, Canada, learning about the plight of Jewish Holocaust survivors and learning from his mother that he can take action to make the world a fairer place.
The young David applies his sense of justice on the playground, standing up to bullies and talking to his friends and classmates about the importance of sharing and caring. The book finally shows him becoming a lawyer with a mission to bring justice to persecuted groups.
Papini-Pollock says she’s encouraged by the feedback she has received from children and their families. She noted that “The Justice Hunter” picture book has “opened up important conversations at home about justice, courage, and empathy—topics they hadn’t thought their children were ready to discuss yet.
“Kids seem captivated by David Matas’s story, often asking thoughtful questions about what it means to stand up for others and why some people dedicate their lives to fighting injustice,” she said.
“Interestingly, even parents have felt inspired to stand up for what’s right. Some have shared that they’re now researching the issues touched upon in the book to better understand them, as the story intentionally doesn’t delve too deeply into certain topics to keep it age-appropriate and approachable for young readers.”
Both “The Justice Hunter” documentary and picture book emphasize “the importance of courage, moral integrity, and perseverance in the fight for human rights,” as Papini-Pollock said—all of which are values certainly worth treasuring in our world today.
