japanese
2003-12-26 | Tie Xi Qu: West of Tracks
Complete nine-hour special screening

Winner of the Robert and Frances Flaherty Prize (Grand Prize), Tie Xi Qu: West of Tracks caused a sensation at YIDFF 2003. In response to popular demand, the YIDFF presents this special screening. The sense of achievement and solidarity gained from witnessing all three parts is so complex that it is difficult to express in words. To all who missed seeing it at last year’s festival—here’s your chance!

Tie Xi Qu: West of Tracks
Complete nine-hour special screening

March 7 (Sunday) 10:00–21:10
Tie Xi Qu: West of Tracks
Wang Bing / CHINA / 2003 / 545 min / The Robert and Frances Flaherty Prize

10:00–14:10 Part 1: Rust (240 min)
15:00–18:05 Part 2: Remnants (175 min)
19:00–21:10 Part 3: Rails (130 min)

The Tie Xi district, in Shenyang in China’s northeast, was established during the Japanese occupation and transformed into a highly populated industrial area. This unusually long-form documentary, taking us on a tour of this now decaying area, spreads over nine hours and three parts entitled Rust, Remnants, and Rails. Factories and towns become ruins, people are buffeted by change, and time ebbs away. An extraordinary documentary that puts the realities facing Chinese society into stark relief, through an exclusive and extended exploration of the region. Jury comments

[Venue] The YAMAGATA Documentary Film Library (Yamagata Big Wing 3F)
[Admission] 1,200 yen (Tomonokai member: 1,000 yen)
[Attendance Limit] First 50 applicants (phone reservations also available)
[Presented by] YIDFF Organizing Committee
[Contact] phone: 023-666-4480 (Yamagata office)