Shangshu Academy Witness
World Premiere
Screening Time
Saturday, May 29, 11:30am
Documentary / China / 2010 / 63 minutes
Director： Zhao Gang
Producer: Cherelle Zheng
Produced by Beijing Channel Zero Media
Language : Mandarin & Sichuan dialect w/ English subtitles
“The earthquake did not kill them, but…”
Deep in a remote valley near Bailu Town in Sichuan Provine, for over a hundred years, there stood a majestic Catholic monastery called SEMINARIUM ANNUNTIATIONIS. From 1851-1861, French missionary Pinchon came to Sichuan and built the church with the help of hundreds of Chinese craftsmen, labourers and followers of the Catholic faith. It used to be a school for Chinese missionaries from throughout Southwestern China.
The monastery was divided into Xiashu Academy (Lower Academy) and Shangshu Academy (Upper Academy). For over a century, it was the local farmers’ task to take care of the Shangshu Academy. There were more than 500 Catholics in Bailu Township. Tang Min and his family had been the church caretakers for three generations.
On May 12, 2008, Shangshu Academy collapsed during the Wenchuan earthquake. The government decided to re-build the Academy on the site and develop the village into a tourist resort. This decision stirred the people of Bailun Town. Government officials came to the village, followed by architects and French cultural delegates. Villagers were employed to clear the earthquake rubble from the site. Tang Min and his wife were dreaming for a bright future of opening a farmer hostel for tourists.
However, underneath the seemingly normal everyday life, conflict and hatred were compiled. Jiang family from the same village had several arguments and quarrels with Tang Min due to the economic benefit of the works. The grudge built up and finally resulted in a vicious incident. One evening, the father and the son of Jiang’s family brutally murdered Tang Min’s wife and daughter.
Winter came after autumn. Where did the conflict come from? How do we cultivate a harmonious gene in society? Did this tragedy come from the faith in the ruins or the ruins of faith? Tang Min’s tale of misfortune in Bailu Town can help us reflect on some of these questions.
Shangshu Academy before the earthquake
About Zhao Gang
Zhao Gang is a documentary filmmaker, a member of Chinese Artists Association, and Director of Documentary Academy of China Television Association. His works are always about culture and social issues. From 1993 until now, he has produced People Living in Tibetan Village, The Sun in Water, (nominated for the 17th China Golden Eagle TV award and official selection of the 13th French FIPA International Movie and Television Festival), This is Me (nominated for the award of the 8th Siena International Movie and Television Festival in 2004 in Italy).
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