Indie China(2)

Tan Tan's latest experimental film Whose Eyes is included in "Hidden Histories." The 15-minute film consists of four "fake surveillance videos" which are mixed with violent outbursts that were recorded on real security cameras, and random scenes from everyday life. The violent outbursts took place on buses, in banks, residential neighborhoods, and grocery shops, but the key point of these videos is not the violence, but the coldness bystanders felt toward the victims.

"Violence happens in every country, so does coldness. But people express coldness in different ways in different time periods. What makes Chinese people behave like this is mainly due to increased materialism," she said.

Director Xu Tong holds a similar opinion. "I don't think my documentaries reveal the dark side of Chinese society," he said. "My films express the complexity of individuals in difficult positions: how they survive hardships and how they find and enjoy happiness despite difficulties. These are common experiences for all human beings."

Xu gained fame for his three documentaries, Wheat Harvest, Fortune Teller, and Shattered, which are collectively known as the Trilogy of the Bottom of Society. Shattered was chosen for this year's "Hidden Histories," and the other two had also been screened in various film festivals at home and abroad.

Xu applauds the upcoming program at IFFR. "It can present the current social reality to Western audiences, and show the diversity of Chinese independent films, which is very meaningful," Xu commented.

Reception at home

While independent films abroad date back to the early 20th century, in China, they have been around for only about two decades.

"When my experimental films are shown in China, there are mainly two very different types of reactions from audiences: high praise or extreme hatred," Tan Tan told the Global Times. "Some people have even angrily asked me why I would waste time on such uninteresting films, telling me some violent or bloody scenes in the films made them sick."

Tang Yuan, an indie film fan, agrees with Tan Tan. "I came to know and watch indie films about a year ago, and still most of my family and friends barely know what indie films are," she said.

Tang, 24, told the Global Times that at first she did not like these films either, "because they are so long and there isn't a traditional plot." She added that even though she later realized indie films better explore the inner workings of society and people, she's worried that overexposure of such films abroad may perpetuate stereotypes about China.

Zhang Yaxuan believes that China should do more to allow appreciation for domestic independent films to grow.

"Domestic audiences lack an understanding of independent films, mainly because they lack exposure to them. I believe independent films constitute the most important cultural heritage of our current society," she said.

But she is optimistic that given the chance, Chinese audiences will treasure the role of independent films in society. "People only need time to realize their value and meaning. Behind these films and videos, lies the courage to face today's real life."

Independent film director Zhang Zanbo also believes the genre can play an important role, saying that "to reflect and rethink the dark sides of society and people has long been a responsibility of artists."