My Village in 2007

Directed, filmed, edited by Shao Yuzhen
Organized & Produced by CCD Workstation
60 mins./2008

About the film:
I’ve been filming with a DV camera for three years already. I followed my first film, My Village 2006, with another feature length film, My Village 2007. This film records some of the changes that occurred in my village in the year 2007, some of the villagers’ hard labor, some cultural events, folk customs, marriage and burial rites, events put on by the Village Committee, the annual soil contracting, and the election that takes place every four years. I also filmed my family’s life; if I want to continue this task, and make good films, I cannot walk away from the support and understanding of my more > >

My Village in 2007

Directed, filmed, edited by Shao Yuzhen
Organized & Produced by CCD Workstation
60 mins./2008

About the film:
I’ve been filming with a DV camera for three years already. I followed my first film, My Village 2006, with another feature length film, My Village 2007. This film records some of the changes that occurred in my village in the year 2007, some of the villagers’ hard labor, some cultural events, folk customs, marriage and burial rites, events put on by the Village Committee, the annual soil contracting, and the election that takes place every four years. I also filmed my family’s life; if I want to continue this task, and make good films, I cannot walk away from the support and understanding of my family members. So, as I persist in making films, I am deeply concerned with my family’s attitude. As I’ve filmed my village, I’ve aroused attention from various media outlets in 2007: Shunyi Television Station, Beijing Broadcasting Station, Jingjiao Daily News, Beijing Television Station, and Xinhua News Agency all came one by one to interview my family and myself. Every time they came, my camera was also ready to film them. This is like a classic Chinese saying, “You must give back what is due,” like giving them a taste of their own medicine!
Filmmaker’s words:
I am a village housewife, already almost 60 years of age, with only a junior high education. Before, I did not even know what a documentary was. In 2005, I became one of ten people chosen to participate in the “Villager Documentary Project,” and was fortunate enough to become familiar with Mr. Wu and his Caochangdi Workstation. Under Mr. Wu’s and the Workstation’s help and support, I was able to complete filming for my short film, “I Film My Village,” as well as the filming and editing of my two feature length films, My Village 2006 and My Village 2007. Before, I was a simple instrument for planting crops and caring for children, but now I’ve taken steps forward by learning to film using a DV camera, edit footage on a computer, and send and receive emails on the internet. I realize this is a giant leap in my life, like I’ve taken flight. Since then, I’ve become fascinated with documentary. Based on my circumstances, I can really only film my village and the people around me, film my fellow villagers’ basic everyday activities. The people in front of my lens are just minor characters, but I believe that these minor characters?although they live in the lower levels of society?actually form our society’s roots and foundation. I am also one of them, living among them; as I film my village, my hand carries out what my heart desires, without much conflict. In the future, if circumstances allow, there will be My Village 2008, 2009, 2010… I think, after many years have passed, these films will constitute a video archive of my village. When I go to heaven, I will have no regrets?I’ll have left my footprint in this world.