China - The Last days in Shibati (Documentary)

In the Chinese city of Chongqing, the Shibati district is the only neighborhood to have survived the government’s drive to demolish and rebuild. But it won’t be around for long. Here too, the narrow alleyways are giving way to vast shopping centers. Filmmaker Hendrick Dusollier spent several months in Shibati to document an area that will soon be gone for good. Initially Dusollier was viewed with suspicion, and locals frequently asked why he was filming such a shabby neighborhood when far more positive images could be shot just a few meters away. But eventually he befriended two extraordinary people who provided him with unique insights into the disappearing neighborhood and its way of life. Zhou Hong is a curious boy who dreams of one day visiting the nearby Moonlight City Mall. Xue Lian is a sprightly elderly woman who remains optimistic and open despite the fact that she soon has to leave what she calls her "dream home.” With help from these local guides, the filmmaker paints a moving portrait of a rapidly changing world - one where slums are making way for high-rises, and traditions are being dismantled without a second thought. The reportage was awarded the IDFA Special Jury Prize for Mid-length Documentary 2017.