San Yuan Li

Armed with video cameras, twelve artists present a highly stylized portrait of San Yuan Li, a traditional village besieged by China’s urban sprawl. China’s rapid modernization literally traps the village of San Yuan Li within the surrounding skyscrapers of Guangzhou, a city of 12 million people. The villagers move to a different rhythm, thriving on subsistence farming and traditional crafts. They resourcefully reinvent their traditional lifestyle by tending rice paddies on empty city lots and raising chickens in makeshift rooftop coops. Commissioned by the Venice Biennale, San Yuan Li explores the modern paradox of China’s economic growth versus the social marginalization of many of its citizens. (45 mins.)

Sponsored by Portland Chinese Garden.

FOLLOWED BY

WHOSE UTOPIA?
DIRECTOR: CAO FEI - CHINA, 2006
With a critical eye on China’s culture and its ever-expanding urban environment, Fei portrays workers who left their small hometowns to pursue dreams of becoming dancers, singers,and musicians in the big city. Instead, they found work in factories. Focusing on employees at a light bulb plant, Fei shows these workers performing their greatest dreams amid their austere reality. (20 mins.)

FOLLOWED BY

SEVEN INTELLECTUALS IN A BAMBOO FOREST—PART 1
DIRECTOR: YANG FUDONG - CHINA, 2003
Based on accounts of the ancient Wei and Jin Dynasties by seven gifted intellectuals known for their remarkable passion, talent, and camaraderie, Fudong’s film updates the tale by portraying a group of present-day Chinese youths responding to an almost overnight cultural transformation from an agrarian to a post-industrial way of life. Fudong’s work epitomizes how the recent and rapid modernization of China has overthrown traditional values and culture. (30 mins.)

Free for members or with Museum admission. Film only: $8 general, $7 students and seniors.

Whitsell Auditorium