Yin Ma Ferry (印马渡) & Wuding River (无定河)

Yin Ma Ferry (印马渡) & Wuding River (无定河)

Wednesday, December 10, 2008 - 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Auditorium (Room 101), Henry R. Luce Hall See map
34 Hillhouse Avenue
New Haven, CT 6511

Yin Ma Ferry 印马渡
Directed by Gong Xiangyang, 2006 (57 min.)

In central Hunan Province, on the Cheshui River is the Yin Ma Ferry. Song Zhuchu, who is over fifty, has been here ferrying people for over thirty years. Three years ago, his wife abandoned their home, leaving the ferryman and his mute, intellectually handicapped son to make their home on the boat. Though living a poor life, Song deeply enjoyed the time spent with his son, and was trying to save 1000 yuan a year to build a pair of brick houses so his son could eventually marry. However, a tragedy struck this tiny family, further isolating Song. He continued his work, left with the old songs that tell him the ferryman will marry a good lady sooner or later.

在湘中腹地,有一条河叫测水,岸边有一个渡口叫印马渡,年过半百的宋竹初守船摆渡30多年了。三年前,妻子弃家出走,摆渡人便领着弱智又半哑的儿子在渡船上安了家,日子虽然清苦,但有儿子的时光是快乐的。父亲最大的心愿是每年能攒下一千块钱,十年后盖两间砖房,给儿子成个家。然而,11岁的儿子却在替父亲摆渡时,落水身亡。孤独的父亲继续摆着渡,唱着古老的船歌,因为船歌里说,摆渡人终会娶到好妻子。

Wuding River 无定河
Directed by Li Xiaofeng & Jia Kai, 2007 (103 min.),

In northern Shaan’xi province, the poorest region in China, many tricycle drivers left their farmland to make a living in the small city. They pin all hopes on their kids, believing their lives will change when the kids enter university. In one family, four years pass and the eldest child finally graduates, only to find there’s no job waiting for her. But the family has already begun another round of battle for college competition. Instinctively, like hens, the whole family turns energy toward hatching another new hope: the younger child.

在陕北,那些从农村来到城里讨生活的三轮车夫都自称受苦人。他们费尽千辛万苦,终于把孩子送上了远方的大学。四年过去了,大孩子找不到工作,前途未卜,更小的孩子又到了考大学的年龄。仿佛出于本能,一家人仍然像母鸡孵蛋一样,等待着新的希望破壳而出。

REEL China Documentaries: Documentaries on issues in contemporary China by Chinese filmmakers and directors

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