China Concerto (2012)

An observational essay shot in the southwestern city of Chongqing CHINA CONCERTO probes the uses of public spectacle in contemporary China Born and raised in Chongqing filmmaker Bo Wang visited his hometown at the height of nowdisgraced politician Bo Xilais campaign to revive Maoera red culture promoting among other things the public singing and dancing of Communist songs Alongside these participatory street performances CHINA CONCERTO looks at images from the media including Michelangelo Antonionis Chung KuoChina and news media and advertising that address the capitalist present in forms reminiscent of the communist past The situation is explored in a narration modeled on Chris Markers Sans Soleil which is delivered by a woman with an ambiguous accent Perched between an insider and outsider perspective CHINA CONCERTO considers the persistence of totalitarian ideologies and images