At the height of Maoism, China was as closed off as present-day North Korea. Then as China eased out of its age of isolation in the early 1970's, Westerners equipped with government regulated narratives began to romanticise the new government. Only a small group of Westerners who grew up and lived inside Mao's China witnessed first-hand the upheaval of the Cultural Revolution. Until now they had preferred to remain silent, but armed with a new outlook on life they are committed to sharing their experiences without fear.