ULTIMATE
DOCS COMPETITION
CHINA A NEW OLD EMPIRE FROM IN AND
OUT
THE
ZHANG EMPRESSES
(KEJSARINNORNA
ZHANG)
Sweden,
2006, 46min., Swedish/Chinese
Director: Christina Hoglund
Producer: Christina Hoglund /
Swedish Television / FFIA
Cinematographer: Niklas Forshell
Editing: Martin Assarsson
Sound: Ulf Nordin
Production Company: Swedish Television
/ FFIA
Print Source:
Swedish Film Institute
International Dept.
PO Box 27126
SE-102 52 Stockholm, Sweden
T +46 8 665 11 41
F: +46 8 666 36 98
andreas.fock@sfi.se
www.sfi.se
www.swedishfilm.org
The Zhang Empresses
Four
vivacious pre-teens, adopted as babies by Swedish parents,
visit China, the land of their birth, after ten years. How
does it feel for them to touch the ground of their native
country without being able to speak the language or make themselves
understood? And what happens if it turns out that they don't
really like the country where they were born? Those are the
dilemmas that Nanna, Alice, Linnéa and Mimmi confront
on this trip. Their voice-over narrations are punctuated by
interviews as they undergo a profound exploration of identity.
They relish seeing so many people who look like them (a change
from Sweden), but react in a very Eurocentric manner towards
the food, clothing and toilet facilities they encounter. The
audience travels with them first to Shanghai, and then to
Zhangjiagiang, where their former orphanage is located. Although
they had no idea what to expect, they are welcomed warmly,
and shown pictures of their baby selves. Named “the
best documentary for children and youth shown on Swedish television
in 2005,” this affecting portrait offers much fodder
for discussion, particularly for families with adopted children
or those who have moved from one culture to another.
 Christina
Höglund is a journalist based in Stockholm.
She has worked for both Sveriges Radio and Sveriges Television
and she's currently writing about film.
Filmography:
The
Zhang Empresses (2006), documentary feature debut.
SUNDAY,
APRIL 1 AT 2:00 PM./THE WILMETTE THEATRE 
SCREENING WITH HEAVY
METAL JR.
SATURDAY,
APRIL 7 AT 1:00 PM./GALLERY THEATRE
SCREENING WITH HEAVY
METAL JR.
|
