Once the prosperous capital of Imperial China, the city of Datong has fallen off significantly, being a city with a decrepit infrastructure, widespread poverty, and rampant pollution. Mayor Geng Tanbo is determined to change the prospects for the city of Datong by initiating a bold and risky venture that would return Datong to its former glory as a cultural haven of China. In order to acheive this, Geng has intiated a plan that will require the relocation of half a million residents, which equates to approximately 30% of the city's populace. Zhou Hao's The Chinese Mayor is an intricate look into one man's attempt at progress that mirrors many of the issues facing present China, a culture and economy that is rapidily evolving and changing faster than its people can keep up. Examing the tangled web of economic progress, politics, corruption, and citizen's rights, The Chinese Mayor offers a unique, in-depth snapshot of China, using the story of one town in Datong to do so. The major is a man whose intentions seem geniune and heartfelt, and the film does a great job at showing his dedication to the people of his community. To the outside observer Geng's plan seems more focused on the city becoming a haven for tourism, not interested in the benefits of its civilians, but given Geng's geniune intentions it's hard to judge him for what he believes will only help in the end. Nothing is black and white about what Mayor Geng is doing though, and the film does capture both sides of the issue, involving the impovershed individuals who are effectively homeless due to Mayor Geng's plan, never having the property certificate necessary to guarantee their relocation. Where the film does present a more seething commentary about modern day China is the corruption of business and politics, that sees Hao fighting corrupt corporations implimenting cost-custting measures to maintain profitability, with the citizens not being at the top of mind. The finale of the film sees the Party relocate Geng to another district, effectively destroying hope in the community for real change in Datong. Pensive and deeply observant, Zhou Hao's The Chinese Mayor is a fascinating film about the current state of China.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorLove of all things cinema brought me here. Archives
June 2023
|