SHORT GRAND PRIX COMPETITION
CHINA A NEW OLD EMPIRE FROM IN AND OUT

NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

RETURN TO THE BORDER

(AU BORD DU FLEUVE, SUR LA FRONTIERE SINOCOREENNE)

France, 56min., 2005, French, Chinese

Director: Zhao Liang
Producer: Sylvie Blum
Script: Zhao Liang
Cinematographer: Zhao Liang
Editing: Noja-Mary Stephen
Sound: Fanglei Zhang
Production Company:
Print Source:
INA-Michele Gautard
4 avenue de l'Europe
94366 Bry-sur-Marne Cedex
France
Tel +33 1 49 83 20 00
e-mail: mgoutard@ina.fr
www.ina.fr



Return to the Border

Director Zhao Liang was born in China, near the border with North Korea. Until the 1990s, these two socialist states were allies and both dictatorships actively cooperated with each other across their borders. But then China concluded a trade treaty with South Korea. The people suddenly became enemies. Trade and cooperation was terminated and a difficult battle for subsistence began. Traveling along the river that separates the two countries, the filmmaker examines what is left of the socialist dreams on both sides of the water. A Chinese man who used to live in North Korea reveals the connection between leader Kim Il Sung's death in 1994 and the famine of 1995. Across the river, North Korean border guards are on patrol. In winter, they cross the frozen river to accept Chinese goods; during the summer, they obtain the articles with pulleys. The film shows how it is possible for similar people and destinies to be forcibly plunged into opposite camps. We get a sense of the current problems facing China as it prepares to become a world economic leader, and at the same time feel that survival is a more important issue than ideology in North Korea right now.

Zhao Liang was born in Dandong, China in 1971. He graduated from Luxun Academy of Fine Arts in Shenyang. In 1993-1994 studied at Beijing Film Academy. He has exhibited video art installations worldwide. Currently lives and works in Beijning.

Filmography:

Zaji tuan (1998-2006);
Miss Xiao Rui (1997-2006);
Return to the Border (2005);
Shangfang (1996-2005);
Paper Air Plane (1997-2001).

SATURDAY, MARCH 31 AT 6:45 PM./GALLERY THEATRE

SCREENING WITH RETURN THE BLOOD OF YINGZHOU DISTRICT

MONDAY, APRIL 2 AT 6:00 PM./THE WILMETTE THEATRE

SCREENING WITH RETURN THE BLOOD OF YINGZHOU DISTRICT

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4 AT 5:00 PM./CHOPIN THEATRE

SCREENING WITH RETURN THE BLOOD OF YINGZHOU DISTRICT