Living the Land
dir. Huo Meng · 2025
Life is a series of changes that reflect the passage of time and the inevitable loss of connection to our roots.
Xu Chuang stands in the fields of Bawangtai Village, watching as the last remnants of a vibrant rural life begin to fade. As he navigates the cycles of planting and harvest, weddings and funerals, the film immerses you in a world where nostalgia and change intertwine. Each scene unfolds with a gentle rhythm, inviting you to reflect on the bittersweet nature of memory and the inevitable passage of time.
In 1991, Bawangtai Village was still very lively and looked the most nostalgic in my memory. Xu Chuang, a young man living in his grandmother's house, experienced various spring planting and autumn harvest, weddings and funerals in the village. With the rise of migrant workers, young people are gradually leaving the land and going to the city, and the countryside is quietly changing.
Talking points
- the impact of urbanization on rural communities
- the significance of seasonal rituals
- the role of memory in shaping identity
- generational differences in aspirations
