The Shaft

Colour, 35 mm
China, 2008, 98 min
WP – World premiere
Section: Official Selection - Competition

Synopsis

In three interrelated parts, the film progressively focuses on individual members of a family living in a mining town in western China. The episodes follow on from one another chronologically, although they do not simply trace the continual development of a single family. In the symbolic way their lives are bound together, the protagonists – namely, the daughter who has to choose between her dreams and a suitable marriage, the son who is about to start life down the mine, and the father who has just retired – represent the universal lot of men and women from mining towns, which stands in stark contrast to their aspirations. The film does not seek to severely criticise the given situation, nor are the environment and heroes portrayed for effect; on the contrary, they seem natural, displaying a sense of immediacy, and are consistent with the perception of ordinary Chinese people, who, by their own admission, are not ones to complain. In its subtle presentation and treatment, the film becomes a delicate celebration of ordinary life, without seeming critical or conciliatory, and is thus all the more authentic and eloquent.

About the director

Zhang Chi (b. 1977, Peking) studied film direction at the Central Academy of Drama and then worked as director of the Chinese national television company CCTV from 2000 to 2004. He then focused on film direction and screenwriting. Last year he added to his professional accolades when he won the Chinese annual prize for Best Screenplay for the film Tokyo Trial (Dobgjing shenpan, 2006), which he shared with three other screenwriters. The Shaft is his directorial debut on the international festival circuit.