Behind The Scenes Of 'Walk The Line': The Team Who Filmed Chinese Asylum Seekers' Journey To US

A passionate TV crew goes on one of the most ambitious and dangerous shoots of their lives, following groups of Chinese migrants making their journey from Ecuador into America.
To reach the Land of the Free, the crew tails the migrants on a most treacherous journey across South and Central America often full of organised crime and corruption. It also requires them to trek through the ‘most dangerous jungle in the world’, the Darien Gap. In this documentary special, the CNA crew bring to light why the Chinese migrants been driven to such desperation, and if the American Dream is all it’s made out to be.
WATCH MORE Walk The Line:
Part 1: • From China To US: The ...
Part 2: • Get To US Border Or Di...
Part 3: • Can These Chinese Asyl...
00:00 Real dangers while making Walk The Line
02:38 Opening Title
03:15 Why cover this story?
07:31 Learning to stay safe during the shoot
10:09 Preparing for the Darien Gap jungle
13:10 Meeting Chinese migrants for the first time
16:15 Winning over profiles at a guesthouse
19:23 Filming profiles discreetly across the border
21:43 Taken off-course by a public taxi
23:41 Meeting Mum, Dad, and Lucy
25:04 Requesting permission to enter the Darien Gap
27:30 Crew attracts too much attention
29:19 Rapidly changing plans
31:08 Catching up to the family after the Darien Gap
34:49 Crew's ethical considerations
36:08 How we prepared for the interview with the smuggler
38:50 Waiting for the migrants near the border wall
42:55 What has happened to the profiles since then?
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About the show: Tens of thousands of Chinese citizens join the migrant trail to America. What has driven them to such desperation? And is the American Dream all it’s made out to be?
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#CNAInsider #WalkTheLineCNA #CNA #America #Immigration #Ecuador #Colombia #Panama #Mexico #AmericanDream #China #USBorder #California #Production #Filmmaking
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[@Carriechong55]

Big respect for you guys man! Wei Du, Jonathan, Shanmuga, Muhammad, Adnan and the rest of the crew! You guys were risking your lives in doing this documentary. ‘Walk The Line’ deserves an award and so are everyone that’s involved in this program. Thank God all profiles reached the US safe and sound! 🙌🏻

[@aquilifergroup]

Lol. These kind of documentaries about this topic have been done by the hundreds already by western and other media. Some of the reporters actually joined the migrants on the road walking. Wei Du and her people didn’t do much and didn’t do anything dangerous. Average documentary by people who live in a bubble and don’t know much about the outer world. They’re late to the party. It’s been done already and done much better

[@dracus6877]

Journalism award of the year for this CNA crew please!!!

[@___beyondhorizon4664]

CNN did this route 2 years ago, ABC Australia did this route hikik the Daren Gap 5 years ago. I met 4 Venezuelans last month, 1 of them spoke a little English, he told me he paid $1,500 to the coyotes.. These are economics migrants, not asslym seekers

[@natashashahril1893]

now THIS is what we call, journalism. big ups to the entire production team. amazing. 👏🏼🎉

[@___beyondhorizon4664]

CNN did this route 2 years ago, ABC Australia did this route hikik the Daren Gap 5 years ago. I met 4 Venezuelans last month, 1 of them spoke a little English, he told me he paid $1,500 to the coyotes..

[@easypitsy]

I wish CNA and Wei Du's team will make another documentary about the migrants life in the USA.

[@lemontree9787]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmKuYqiLgsRor68si=g00mu9P8PIvafJX8 This has been done by Al Jazeera. For your interest.

[@84jordie]

They should do one on Malaysian immigration life in Australia. They are known for overstaying visa to work in farms illegally.

[@easypitsy]

Thankfully, you guys are safe. Thank you, CNA, Wei Du, and team, for this documentary.

[@h10900]

Journalism at its best, real people real stories. Thank you CNA team.

[@___beyondhorizon4664]

CNN did this route 2 years ago, ABC Australia did this route hikik the Daren Gap 5 years ago. I met 4 Venezuelans last month, 1 of them spoke a little English, he told me he paid $1,500 to the coyotes..

[@Tulips33338]

Of all documentaries on migration to US this one was so raw and emotional..😢 i will never forget the guy whom you interviewed in part 2 and was migrating because he had lost his mom, dad and son...his silent cry was so so sad to watch 😢😢

[@lyk13]

The revelation of the profiles 'now' is what I have wanted after watching the 3 parts. Thank you Du Wei and team!

[@GK-no6he]

This team deserves an award. Takes guts to do this. Keep up the great work guys ❤

[@tokaitrading8335]

Award to Humiliate Chinese nationals who escaped debts and criminals charges back in China ???

[@___beyondhorizon4664]

CNN did this route 2 years ago, ABC Australia did this route hikik the Daren Gap 5 years ago. I met 4 Venezuelans last month, 1 of them spoke a little English, he told me he paid $1,500 to the coyotes..

[@hcyeong]

The documentary about the making of the documentary is equally compelling and informative. Great job!

[@zheshipeng]

Best documentation I have watched on KZbin. You guys deserve a wider recognition. You humanize this illegal migration walking the line in a fact telling fashion without glorifying or humiliating it, which in itself is the essence of journalism.

[@miltonboise9905]

I just finished watching the three episodes of your documentary and I was teary-eyed sometimes. When the father cried telling the story about their boat trip, It just hit me in the gut being a father myself. I would do anything for my family too. What a journey those families had to go through to get the freedom they deserved. Well done guys for making this documentary.

[@AlfordLau]

One of the most heart pumping / moving documentary series I have seen. I hope you guys win Oscar.

[@Gamebred-Nightmare]

When I saw Bald&Bankrupt's video with Timmy on the Darien Gap, I thought no other singaporean would venture near there but little did I knopw this documentary would come out. Sure they didn't cross it but being near all that to capture it is simply a journalist's dream.

[@peiyingk2878]

This is gold! Thank you for risking your lives to produce such an amazing documentary. Kudos to the whole team!

[@___beyondhorizon4664]

CNN did this route 2 years ago, ABC Australia did this route hikik the Daren Gap 5 years ago. I met 4 Venezuelans last month, 1 of them spoke a little English, he told me he paid $1,500 to the coyotes..

[@MrNicholas89]

@@___beyondhorizon4664 But do CNN, ABC Australia talk about the behind the scenes of their reports?? You claim you met 4 Venezuelans, but where? The ICE Detention Centre? The area of Arizona?

[@mskmouse]

Excellent documentary! Much respect to the TV crew for putting their lives on the line. Glad the Chinese migrants are settling down well. All the best to them!

[@damianng1237]

One of the best series in the last couple of years by CNA. Great work! Glad that all are safe and we get to appreciate life and our blessings through this amazing series. Once again, THANK YOU.

[@gadenp81]

This is a very wonderful show! Thanks for this lovely reporting.

[@jiaenteo4093]

Thank you for the risks you guys took to share the untold stories of these migrants. Indeed we are so privileged because of the efforts of our ancestors who were migrants themselves to Singapore. This BTS brought me to tears.

[@___beyondhorizon4664]

The difference now is that the lands are too crowded now in most countries

[@bernardgoh1941]

Amazing production team.... im sure blood, sweat and tears are shed during the entire journey.... friendships are build too.... keep it up CNA!

[@msaw9649]

Thank you to the crew who have risk their lives on the line to put this together for us. It is an eye-opener for me. Thank you.

[@___beyondhorizon4664]

CNN Anderson Cooper did this route 2 years ago, ABC Australia did this route hikik the Daren Gap 5 years ago. I met 4 Venezuelans last month, 1 of them spoke a little English, he told me he paid $1,500 to the coyotes..

[@dorisyong7835]

This is by far the best documentary film that I have seen. The team must get an award for this. Well done!

[@joselyn8444]

Thank you CNA for pushing the boundaries to film this excellent & mind blowing documentary! Thanks to CNA , we got swept into an uncertain world in the comfort of our homes.

[@user-os1zf1hg8z]

Such an awesome endeavour!! The team is incredibly brave and passionate! Thank you!

[@e.w.6470]

Kudos to all the crew members! Really amazing work. Thanks for recording these scenes and moments that are so inspirational

[@KingKong-ov8qo]

this is ONE of the best documentaries I have ever seen in my entire whole life, my kids (under 13) even enjoy it and what Jonathan said in the last "Their journey made my life problem in my everyday life feel so insignificant" My kids watch this and say "we won't complain for small thing anymore dad" and they are feel grateful no need to go through like lucy or any other toddler and kids. Well done and congratulations to the the whole team!

[@queenasaurous]

Thank you too all who made this show possible. I’ve learnt a lot and I wish happiness and success to the families.

[@seanchen9265]

Once again, this documentary deserves an award! Keep it up, and hoping for more such documentaries from CNA.

[@newtonng2163]

Amazing documentary and congratulations to the team who made it possible. All deserve a well deserved award not only for journalism but humanity and compassion.🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@profhong]

Thanks CNA and Wei Du's team for this excellent documentary. Huge respect!

[@huijiegoh62]

Thank you Crew! Best moment is to hear that the profiles seem to be doing okay! Having been through the "worst", may luck shine upon them moving forth ❤❤❤

[@AMoKDuke]

One of the best documentaries in recent times. Really kept one on the edge of the seat. Kudos to CNA, Wei Du’s team for give us a close view of this story/issue.

[@catt138]

Very glad that all the Migrants made it safely. 🙏 It is a huge risk that they took, they are brave. No matter what happens in the future, wish them all the best and hope they continue to persevere and won't regret their decision... This series makes us very grateful to ou paternal and maternal grandparents who were illiterate for braving oceans more than 80 years, escaped the famine in Tang Shan (Chlna) and settled on this little red dot. 🙏🙏🙏

[@ANUBIS209]

They will soon starting packing back to China. Trump will send them home

[@tokaitrading8335]

They are criminals otherwise why should not they use proper procedures/ channels to migrate to another country

[@KopiOkaya]

The best CNA documentary to date. Excellent production. Breathtaking storytelling. Remarkable video journalism. My highest praise to Dui Wei and her team.

[@LiSaSuKz]

Good job team!! Thank you for shooting this and bringing light to this issue

[@tiffanyleung2815]

Thank you Wei and the crew for risking your lives to capture this journey. Lots of respect goes to you all! Amazing

[@teng22dangerpub]

Huge respect and give thanks to CNA! All of your took part in the filming are incredibly resilience and brave!

[@limsuelin3634]

Amazing Job Everyone! This documentary series truly deserves an award 🥺

[@hikingphil]

Thank you CNA crew and Wei.

[@wanidakok]

Such an amazing watch. Thank you for your dedication to authenticity…I was shocked a local crew would try to film in the Darien Gap. Thanks for the hard work…what an experience for you.

[@___beyondhorizon4664]

CNN did this route 2 years ago, ABC Australia did this route hikik the Daren Gap 5 years ago. I met 4 Venezuelans last month, 1 of them spoke a little English, he told me he paid $1,500 to the coyotes..

[@lamby_jun]

Gold class ❤ production. This team stands head and shoulders above the rest. Thank you for bringing to us this awesome documentary 🙌🙌👍🏼

[@congener496]

This was one of the best documentary I’ve ever watched if not the best. Kudos to the team!

[@trinatan8318]

Kudos to CNA and the production team for another EXCELLENT documentary series!

[@valerieseow]

I completed 3 parts in a day. It’s a very good story and eye opener. Thanks for making this happen!

[@MyNiceName20]

Best documentary I've ever watched. Thanks to the team who is willing to undertake such an dangerous mission with so many uncertainties. Thanks to the profiles who really radiates kindness and love. I wish them all the best in their new life.

[@skm9985]

Proud of the crews representing Singapore.

[@yuansutopia]

Huge respect to the team for risking their lives in making a great documentary series.

[@julesgoh]

I truly respect and love the way this team put the goal and safety of their profiles first and foremost, keeping a distance when things were dangerous for them. Others might have put their stories first, but not the CNA team. ❤❤❤

[@vincenty2298]

huge respect for the production team behind this masterpiece!

[@shannontan92]

This behind-the-scenes look was an immensely enjoyable watch. I'm so proud of the CNA Team for documenting this journey. I would love to see more documentaries like this. Kudos!!

[@stevenlee5019]

Wei Du, Jonathan, Shanmuga, Muhammad, Adnan and the rest of the crew, U GUYS ROCK!!!!!!! I was eagerly waiting on the next episode and could not wait for the 'Behind The Scenes' epsiode!!!!... Well done and glad that you are all safe and well..

[@9Kirk9]

This document was so impressive and emotional! ❤ Thank you team for the great work! And god bless those families.

[@cliffsiaw]

Thank you for your amazing work and courage! This is the best documentary I ever watched! You all took so much risk!

[@moniqueg943]

Absolutely incredible documentary! I really appreciate this additional video sharing the perspective of the crew. Thank you!

[@janmascarina]

Amazing work. Kudos to the team. This is some of the best work from CNA I've ever seen.

[@joisitta]

Thank you Wei’s team ❤. I also like the mom/dad/daughter family a lot, I feel their positives, even there’s some time ‘dad’ is emotional. Will pray for them, pray for all of them indeed.

[@lindavid9127]

Thank you CNA ! The great documentary EVER !! Kudos & well done

[@MarcS777]

I 100% concur with the comments below: this CNA team definitely deserves some kind of documentary or journalism award. The determination spirit and overcoming all the nonsense and adversity of the Chinese migrants people shown in the documentary, i pray with all my heart they will find peace, freedom and prosperity in their new lands.

[@beepbeep255]

Mad respect to the team behind this great feature. Glad you all (and the families) are safe.

[@crosbyong]

Watched all 3 episodes plus this. Again, kudos, bravo! for a very insightful, frightening and sad documentary. And, I’m just happy nothing bad happened to the team. Good quality documentary.

[@joyyang5339]

amazing documentary! thank you for bringing us these stories despite the risks

[@theallybelly]

Great work 🎉. You should be so proud of this project. I must say this is the best documentary of the year, globally.

[@teresitaguevarra1415]

Walk the line was really a superb documentary. God bless all of you

[@AAAAAK5]

Please Hand them the Best Documentary Of The Year 🏆

[@creativepicnl]

If this work of art doesn’t win multiple awards than something is really wrong! Binged it from beginning to end! Great work team!

[@Chocosun]

The best documentary I’ve watched. Thank you the CNA team who has bravely chose to ‘walk into the fire’ to bring us this documentary!

[@eddie634100]

Good job, really enjoy watching, hope you guys get nominated and win some awards. Proud of you all.

[@sardonicshell]

Excellent excellent work. Riveting at times. Kudos to the team and CNA! Very happy to hear that the profiles featured are doing well and that Lucy is enrolled in a school too.

[@tanhl99]

Amazing objective journalism and professionalism. Respect the team spirit and courage

[@slau201]

Bravo! Excellent series! Way to go. I hope you keep in touch with the families. Wishing them best of luck!

[@melwee8511]

Bravo Team! You guys are EXCEPTIONAL! I watched the series with bated breath. Worrying about the migrants but more so about the Team. Your resilience and bravery are definitely not any less than the profiles featured. Thank you for risking your precious lives to bring us these incredible series on the dangerous journey of the migrants.

[@peggyfan435]

This documentary is incredible! Thank you for sharing your hard work!

[@charleslewis375]

Thank you all,the best documentary about exile so far.

[@marckanthonnyyow9617]

Thank you for such wonderful documentary. Really blown away !

[@fuchengyee]

Impressive. Well planned and good adaptation to circumstances. I think this is the kind of journalism that get readers and viewers interested. I will look out for more CNA insider documentaries because of this. Glad that the entire is safe and sound.

[@keyrolmm7619]

I really like this documentary that you did guys, i'm teary eyed everytime i've seen the struggling.. surviving.. the pain... the hardships.. the difficulties for everybody to made this documentary of chinese migrants who wanted to have AMERICAN DREAM. I salute you guys. Job super well done👏👏👏 amazin' TEAM❤️❤️❤️

[@justinbala3021]

One of the best doc series that I have watched recently.

[@shamimiaj487]

Possibly the best documentary i have ever watched. This behind the scenes is the icing on the cake. Amazing job to the production team. Really made our daily problems small when seeing what they had to go through.

[@___beyondhorizon4664]

CNN did this route 2 years ago, ABC Australia did this route hikik the Daren Gap 5 years ago. I met 4 Venezuelans last month, 1 of them spoke a little English, he told me he paid $1,500 to the coyotes..

[@savifan1915]

Thank God all profiles reached the US safe and sound! Thanks to the great team!!

[@asakurayoh3909]

😂😂

[@Helenchan941]

Well respect of you guys, so brave and bring us this amazing documentary!

[@Bbapplady]

The best documentary I‘ve ever watched , keep it up CNA .

[@drjennyli]

Great story! All the praise to the crew. Really wish this documentary can win some awards this year!

[@irenelau-nj8jr]

Its so sensible to engage fixers in different parts of the dangerous areas, follow their precious instructions to stay safe in some nerve wreaking moments. Well done, team👍👍

[@valentina7901]

HI sorry whats that? Im just beginning to watch

[@denisechua9688]

Thank you all the crew to provide such interesting story to us!!

[@SarahChu-fe7sj]

One of the best productions by CNA!

[@june4634]

Bravo team, excellent documentary!! Thank you 👏👏

[@moritzqin3411]

Thank your team hardworking and bringing the amazing program.

[@Leslie-tk4yc]

Incredible production by CNA and team. The best series by CNA since Maximun Security

[@zeldang5502]

Thank you so much for such a valuable documentary. Your commitment and courage - commendable.

[@Star.trooper]

Solid behins the scenes! Glad that you all are safe! And the profiles too! U are awesome Wei Du! ❤

[@juliagouw]

Definitely an award winning documentary. Kudos to Wei Du and the team. What an excellent journalism.

[@thtttttt]

I'm so glad the profiles made it and are doing well. Wish I could know more about how Lucy feels. "One way", "Walk the line" Thanks for telling their stories

[@kimioratangata3647]

Massive respect to all... thanks you

[@ypikakpika]

Great work! Especially appreciate your effort on showing different aspects of this journey. Prosecution on religious people, family dynamics, gap between hope and reality, landowners and volunteers and so much more. America is definitely not a promised land, but showing why they make the choice, how they walk the line and the possible consequences is way more significant.❤

[@edwincheng8682]

Thank you to the team and the updates of the migrants. I wondered how they are after part 3. Glad they all made it well.

[@sarahfan5062]

True journalism! An astounding production!

[@dorischong2518]

truly enjoyed the entire series! kudos to the brave and inspiring team following the Chinese migrants.

[@Isabella-tp7ky]

An excellent production! Thank you

[@bahasalogyid]

Finished watching all the videos! Big respect!

[@TheChannelofSheldon]

This is what Journalism looks like ❤ Thank you.