Torch Troupes (2006)

In this vivid portrait of Chinas musical heritage Sichuan Opera performers strive to keep a centuriesold artform alive After thriving for 300 years Sichuan Opera is an endangered art form Having survived the Cultural Revolution statesponsored opera troupes now face extinction in the era of private enterprise Opera master Li Baoting began his career at eight but now performs pop songs with showgirls in cheap bars His colleague Wang Bin performs in travelling tents trying to resist the massive cultural changes threatening to wipe out this artform