The second part of the Youth trilogy about textile workers in China focuses on conflicts and their resolution.
Wang Bing’s films are sometimes described as «monumental, ” not only because of their duration but also due to his extreme focus on detail and individual stories. By not following a single character or a particular group, Wang Bing creates a de-centralized narrative of long episodes (each about 20 to 25 minutes) that allow the viewer to really see and hear the protagonists and notice how they cope with difficulties at work.
Workplace conflicts are at the center of the second part of the trilogy. Textile production in Zhili is not run by the state but by individual and family businesses. This means greater flexibility and a less controlled environment (which allowed Wang Bing and his crew to film the workshops for years). However, the economic relationship relies on trust. The workers have to believe that their employers will actually pay them in six months’ time and not vanish with their money. Part of the film follows the disappearance of one such employer, a situation that pushes workers to look for alternative ways of obtaining their earnings.
Youth (Hard Times) premiered in the main competition of the 77th Locarno Film Festival.
The film will be screened in Chinese with Russian subtitles.
Youth (Hard Times)
Director: Wang Bing
France, Netherlands, Luxembourg, 2024. 227 min.
18+