We Went to Wonderland
We Went to Wonderland
Ντοκιμαντέρ / Documentary Ην. Βασίλειο / UK, 2008, 76′, 4:3, Ασπρόμαυρο / Black & White, Dolby Digital Κινεζικά, Αγγλικά / Chinese, English
Σκηνοθεσία / Direction Xiaolu Guo Σενάριο / Screenplay Xiaolu Guo Μοντάζ / Editing Philippe Ciompi Φωτογραφία / Photography Xiaolu Guo Ήχος, Μουσική & Σχεδιασμός Ήχου / Edit, Music & Sound design Philippe Ciompi Παραγωγός / Producer Xiaolu Guo & Philippe Ciompi Συμμετέχουν / Featuring Guo Xiu Lin & Li He Ying Προέλευση ταινίας / Film Source: Perspective Films Xiaolu Guo Productions
He observes the drifting clouds, his wife looks at the Houses of Parliament. As he wanders in the Vatican, his wife is still praising the Eng- lish parks. This is the first, and the last time they leave China. He wants to see the whole world before he dies, but her heart longs for home. A Chinese daughter, the director, decides to record her parent’s journey to the West. Shot in black and white with this smallest of equipment, the film achieves exceptional freedom of style and intimacy. Minimalist, with hints of French Nouvelle Vague, integrating stills and quotes, the film portraits a philosophical journey, going through cultural conflicts, love relationship, memories of personal histories, shadows of the turmoil of China’s past, glimpses of the weight of two individuals in a global environment. As ancient Taoist master Lao Tzu said: “The further you go, the less you understand.” This visual poem is like an abstract Chinese ink painting, drawing traces of two people’s interior life.