Jia Zhangke was originally commissioned to make a short film as part of the Shanghai World Expo (2010). Deviating from the parameters, the filmmaker instead decided to depict a broader and more lyrical portrait of the city.

At first glance, the film may seem conventional, but upon closer inspection, one can discern a great subtlety in the approach and a brilliantly constructed narrative. Through various testimonies of individuals whose lives are intertwined with the city in some way, a five-part narrative structure is built. The chronological story recounts the history of Shanghai, from before Mao's rise to power, through the Cultural Revolution, up to the present day. The sprawling narratives of the characters extend to the drastic and often violent changes left as a legacy by 20th-century China.

Additionally, some of the interviewed protagonists come from the world of cinema, such as Rebecca Pan, an actress in Days of Being Wild (Wong Kar-wai, 1990) and Flowers of Shanghai (Hou Hsiao-hsien, 1998). The latter also shares his experiences, along with others. By incorporating numerous film excerpts, the narrative uses cinema to evoke the impact of the Cultural Revolution on the lives of artists in China and to integrate a more sensitive perspective on history.

As in 24 City (2008), the filmmaker interweaves fiction with reality. He features Zhao Tao, his favorite actress since Platform (2000). She gracefully moves through the narrative with melancholic elegance during recurring scenes in the Shanghai World Expo park, a symbol of modernity.

Although its critique of the current regime is subtle, the film remains subversive in certain respects. Above all, it's an ode to Shanghai and to those who have made it through its history.

Pascale Ferland
Filmmaker, teacher and programmer