Film Lens
The Gleaners is a coming-of-age story centered on filmmaker Ye Zuyi and his family as they navigate the tension between traditional farming life and modern societal changes in China. The film presents a personal narrative that intertwines the filmmaker's interest in documenting a famine from 50 years ago with familial expectations, particularly regarding marriage and land use. The family faces a critical decision about whether to continue farming rice or sell their land to developers.
Set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing China, the film captures the struggles of a family trying to maintain their identity while adapting to new realities. It offers an intimate look at their daily lives, emphasizing the conflict between preserving tradition and embracing modernity, all while reflecting on the broader identity crisis facing the country.
Why Watch
- •Meet filmmaker Ye Zuyi and his family dynamics.
- •See the impact of modernity on rural Chinese life.
- •Find out about a famine that occurred 50 years ago.
Did You Know
•The film was directed by Ye Zuyi, who also stars in it.
•It was released in 2013 and has a runtime of 89 minutes.
•The story is set in a rural area of China, focusing on a farming family.
•The family contemplates selling their land to developers, a significant decision.
Perfect For
Chinese family lifeModernity vs traditionRural farming issues