DV China (2002) & Dance With Farm Workers (2001)

DV China (2002) & Dance With Farm Workers (2001)

Tuesday, October 12, 2004 - 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Auditorium (Room 101), Henry R. Luce Hall See map
34 Hillhouse Avenue
New Haven, CT 6511

Free and open to the public. All films have English subtitles.

DV China
Directed by Zheng Dasheng, 2002 (92 min)

Since the early 90s, the villagers in Jindezheng, led by Zhou Yuanqiang, creative director of the local cultural center, have learned all the techniques of film production: script writing, casting, shooting, montage and even special effects. With great enthusiasm, they have already produced 18 serials even though they lack equipment and have a very limited budget. The energetic director Zhou Yuanqiang initiates a new challenge for his enthusiastic and amateur actors: their first Kung-fu serial. This documentary follows the production of the new serial and their difficulties in fund raising, resolving technical problems, and interpersonal relations amongst themselves.

Dance With Farm Workers
Directed by Wu Wenguang, Camera: Su Ming, 2001 (57 min)

This film is about an unconventional performance named “Dance with Farm Workers.” The project involved not only 10 actors and dancers, but also 30 farm workers who came from poor regions of Sichuan Province and worked in construction sites in Beijing. The performance was initiated and organized by choreographer Wen Hui, artists Song Dong, Yin Xiuzhen, and Wu Wenguang. Both the rehearsal and the performance took place in a production hall of a former textile factory that was soon to be torn down as part of Beijing’s rapid modernization. These strong farm laborers, who came to the city after losing hope in their rural home towns, can be considered one of the supporting pillars of China’s modernization. At first, the farm laborers were only concerned about getting paid 30 Yuan a day for their efforts (approximately U.S. $3.60). Later they discover that the lowest of “the lower class” could be standing at center stage and making a statement.

China Documentary Film Series – Showcasing films from REC Foundation’s REEL CHINA Documentary Festival 2004

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China