Every Seventh Person

A fascinating look into the Chinese countryside
The documentary begins with the unbelievable phrase "Every seventh person on earth is a Chinese farmer." From there, it explores three Chinese villages, each unique and at different stages of development. The first is an uber socialist village that has been praised by multiple government organizations. The second is a minority village where their previously outlawed religion and language are making a come-back. The third is more developed as far as material goods, but many people have left the village to find work, and the school system is shown to be little more than test-taking and recitation.

While many villagers express optimism for their children, it seems that most have given up hope for their own lives. From the older generation giving first-hand accounts of the Cultural Revolution, to a new mother earnestly hoping her daughter can learn a foreign language and go to university, to a wife singing a sad song as she makes enough noodles to scrape up a living while her...

Incredible Portait of the Situation and Hope of Rural China
China is in the midst of transformational change in the balance between city and countryside. This film provides an intimate and graphic portrait of the hopes and aspirations of Chinese villages in several parts of this vast country. Such hope lies not in the mass exodus of this villagers to China's existing metropolises but in transforming these villages into sustainable towns.

enjoyed it
just what I was looking for - cultural tidbits from various off-the-beaten-path locals. If you like to study many things Chinese - check this one out.

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