Up The Yangtze

Canada 2007, 93 minutes
Dir. Yung Chang
In English, Mandarin with English subtitles
Genres: Documentary

Aroview: The large-scale transformation of the Yangtze River through the construction of the Three Gorges Dam is examined intimately through the eyes of two young, disparate Chinese hopefuls.

By observing the effects on individuals swept up in China’s ravenous hunger for change, this offers a deeply affecting and perceptive contrast to the striking, but impersonal images of economic growth in MANUFACTURED LANDSCAPES. At the heart of the film, ‘Cindy’ and ‘Jerry’ – from underprivileged and middle-class backgrounds respectively – join the crew of a tour vessel ferrying affluent tourists up the Yangtze, and it’s in these two that the film moves beyond its mere documentary vocation, and into the sort of human drama rarely captured or discovered.

NZ International Film Festival 2008

Member Reviews

Average rating (Very Good). Showing 1-3 of 4 member reviews.

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3 stars (Good Enough) ~normfilmbuff
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5 stars (Exceptional) Spectacular & very interesting. Sharp contrast between the upwardly mobile Middle Classes & rural poor poor, living on the margins, but all believe in education for their kids. Vividly expresses the varied personal character of the Chinese people. ~Anon
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4 stars (Very Good) Although there are some stunning shots of The River - the opening scene of the vessel moving through the lock is memorable - the story belongs to the Peasants who are being relocated from their soon to be flooded homes. ~Tubbs