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.