NEWS

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The Davidson Film Club is pleased to invite you to a screening and discussion of the Silver Berlin Bear-winning Chinese film, "Living the Land," on Saturday, March 14, at 7:00 p.m. in the Armour Street Theatre in Davidson.

"Epic in scope and yet intimate in its storytelling...a gorgeous-looking sprawling saga. A simple masterpiece of Chinese filmmaking." Filmuforia Directed by Meng Ho

"Living the Land"

China (2025, 2h12)

In Chinese with English subtitles

Discussion of the film will be led by Dr. Qian Wang, native of China, Senior New Product Development Engineer for Ingersoll-Rand.

Walk-ins are welcome, $9 (NC sales tax included) at the door, cash or check (no credit cards).

Walk-ins must apply for a seat in advance at alsingerman@davidson.edu. Walk-in seats are limited by availability.

Refreshments (red and white wine, bottled water, and snacks) will be made available by the Film Club.

Film Summary A family in Bawangtai Village in 1991 is caught between the weight of tradition and the pull of progress as China undergoes sweeping socio-economic changes that drive many to leave their rural villages in pursuit of work in the cities. Ten-year-old Chuang, living in his grandmother’s house, must remain in the village due to family plans. Against the backdrop of modernization, cycles of births, deaths, marriages, and funerals reveal the enduring weight of tradition and the pressures of balancing familial responsibilities with a rapidly changing world.

Winner Silver Berlin Bear for Best Director and nominated for Golden Berlin Bear for Best Film.

Winner of Chinese Filmmaker of the Year at Pingyao International Film Festival and three other Best Film nominations.

Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer 100%!

“Huo’s second feature is a visually captivating, studiously structured, and ceaselessly humane account of the anguish, anxiety, and agitation sweeping rural China on the cusp of the country’s turbocharged plunge into market economics.” Clarence Tsui, South China Morning Post

"Deeply poignant yet staunchly unsentimental...beautifully crafted..." Screen Daily

“It’s a familiar human story, yet one which carves out its own fierceness as seasons change, life goes on, and new generations must contend with being unable to inherit the fruits of their parents’ toils.” Nicholas Bell, IONCINEMA.com

"There’s a patient, plainspoken poetry to "Living the Land," a rolling rural drama that feels wholly, organically observed, as if its storytelling were dictated by the rigors and challenges of seasons and soil." Variety

“Though it is gently paced and narratively diffuse, "Living the Land" is never dull, thanks to a wealth of incident and the complexity of relationships in Huo’s extended family portrait.” Guy Lodge, Variety

“Shot from spring to winter to capture the changing seasons, "Living the Land's" evocatively earthy palette will help this deeply poignant yet staunchly unsentimental drama find its way to art-house audiences.” John Berra, Screen International

“The film is an excellent follow-up for director Huo Meng, who shows immense promise as one of the leading voices in bringing Chinese culture and history to life on the big screen.” Jack Walters, Next Best Picture

"A rich, warm portrait... Huo’s lovely roving eye for composition and gentle hand with drama trace the challenges and enduring bonds among several hard-working generations of farmers." Deadline Hollywood

Our website features the whole current series and film descriptions. Have you Bookmarked it? We are a non-profit, tax-exempt organization run by volunteers that only exists to bring you fine international fiction films and engage in stimulating discussion about them.

Hope that many of you will be at the March 14 screening of this rich, captivating film!

Alan Singerman President
Davidson Film Club
alsingerman@davidson.edu
(704) 231-6736