Tie Xi Qu: West of the Tracks

Regie: Wang Bing
China 2003

This box contains the impressive nine-hour documentary Tie Xi Qu: West of the Tracks by Wang Bing. In three parts, Rust, Remnants and Rails, Chinese director Wang Bing charts the economic demise of one of the most densely populated industrial areas in the northeast of China. The film is one long journey along the railway that cuts across the area. It becomes clear that this area, once the heart of the planned economy, with a labour-intensive industry of blast furnaces and steelworks, has not been modernized to prepare it for the future. Stuck in between the Communist heritage and the more capitalist future, economic reforms and bankruptcies lead to demolition and vacancies, leaving behind hordes of desolate workers.

Wang Bing observes and listens to the innumerous stories of local residents. He takes on jobs to survive and live among the people, and he sometimes follows his protagonists and the developments they are confronted with over longer periods of time. This makes Tie Xi Qu into a chronicle of epic proportions. During his two-year-journey the at the time still relatively inexperienced director shows the drama in everyday life with sincerity, humanity, depth and engagement by means of calm camera work, in which the developments are captured in beautiful tableaus. Tie Xi Qu won many awards at documentary festivals.

Tiger Releases
Box mit 4 DVDs
Language OV mandarin Subtitles english
Length 545 min. Screen 4/3 PAL, color Sound DD FSK 16+ Region code 2
Bonus Interview