SINOPHONE FILMMAKING—Film Screening Series: Meishi Street 《煤市街》, 2006, dir. Ou Ning

/in ,

Ou Ning’s documentary Meishi Street (2006) focuses on the urban redevelopment and demolition process in Beijing’s Dashilar district, specifically Meishi Street. It documents how local residents resist forced eviction and how their lives are transformed in the face of displacement. The film centers on resident Zhang Jinli, who persistently defends his rights throughout the demolition process. Zhang not only uses a video camera to record the scenes of demolition but also turns his home into a space for public expression, protesting by posting large-character posters on his walls. His actions embody an individual’s resistance and self-expression under the pressures of urban development.
The documentary not only captures the transformation of a specific community, but also reflects the widespread social issues present in China’s broader urbanization process.

SINOPHONE FILMMAKING—Film Screening Series Five Plus Five 五加五, 2011, dir. Xu Xing and Andrea Kavazzuti (Lao An)

/in , ,

《五加五》Five Plus Five is a documentary co-directed by Xu Xing and Andrei Kavazuti, with a runtime of approximately 100 minutes. The film is observed through the perspective of “Lao Jin,” a taxi driver in Beijing’s Songzhuang Art District. It presents his interactions with artists and his unique understanding of the art world through his daily work.
The title Five Plus Five comes from Lao Jin’s graffiti signatures inside his taxi. He leaves his name in every empty space, creating a unique “artwork” on the walls of his vehicle. This act reflects Lao Jin’s engagement with and interpretation of art, symbolizing his connection with the artists. The film captures Lao Jin’s daily routine of driving artists, showcasing the life in the Songzhuang Art District. Through conversations with the artists, Lao Jin discusses their creations, lives, and emotional worlds, revealing the close relationship between art and life. The film not only focuses on the artists’ creative processes but also explores the role and perception of ordinary people within the art world.
Five Plus Five is considered a documentary with a unique perspective, portraying the intertwining of art and life through the depiction of an ordinary person. It highlights the position and significance of ordinary individuals in the art world.