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West of the Tracks

2003
Directed by Wang Bing
DocumentaryHistory

Cast

Documentary

Plot

A documentary of about nine hours on the decline of the Tiexi industrial district in Shenyang, in China's north-east, as the state-owned factories close down. In three parts, Rust, Remnants and Rails, Wang Bing follows workers, families and children living in the shadow of the factories. The 2003 film is an epic of observation, shot on digital video.

Sinekatalog’s take

Wang Bing's nine-hour documentary follows the decline of Shenyang's Tiexi industrial district as state factories close, in three parts. Immersive and patient, it gives the end of a way of life a staggering human scale.Sinekatalog’s own editorial review – not a user or critic quote.

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