China von unten

Moving images from a turbulent country. Followed by a discussion about the film.

A film program featuring unexpected images from China. Most are excerpts from independently produced films that depict aspirations, everyday life, criticism, and struggles. These are fragments that neither can nor intend to provide a complete picture of life in this vast country. Interviews, youth culture, protests, music, and strikes will be featured in this program. Despite censorship and an authoritarian state, there are surprisingly critical TV productions that have found niches within the system. There are also countless independent filmmakers who do not apply for filming permits and work under the radar.
"My Body is Controlled by You" profiles China’s first male nude model.
The documentary “University City Beasts” follows the resistance of farmers who are being forced to make way for an investor-led project.
The filmmaker left the country due to the threat of repression. Images of resistance continue to be produced, including as part of youth subcultures ranging from punk rock to shamate to hip hop.
The program is curated and hosted by filmmaker Karsten Weber of the Filmgruppe Chaos. For 50 years, he has been making films from the indie and underground scenes. These films led to invitations from halfway around the globe and resulted in the BLITZFILM Festival—a German short film festival—touring Chinese cities for ten years (see also TAZ). Chinese filmmakers were also invited to Germany for a return visit. Karsten Weber is an active member of the Forum Arbeitswelten.
A joint event organized by Bahnhof Langendreer, endstation.kino, ATTAC-Bochum, and the Forum Arbeitswelten.