“A Soil A Culture A River A People” is in the abstract museum-art galley genre. I watched this 15-minute short three times arriving at three different interpretations of its purpose. Perplexing, challenging and fun!
As a film critic I receive films to review from production companies or public relations firms attaching a viewing link for the film, stills and a synopsis of the film and a description of key production staff including actors. Occasionally a director’s statement is attached outlining the purpose or objective of the film as explained by the director.
Included in the materials for the film was a director’s statement from Viv Li which also appears on her website and its an artsy mouthful indeed! But viewers will seldom have a director’s statement to review before they watch a film. Such statements may serve the director’s vision but what about the viewers?
The more artsy and diffuse a film the more interpretations it may engender so here is mine.
Citizen Yu (Zezhi Long) in his modernistic Mao suit is an alien walking the streets of Hannover, Germany. He maintains a stone face keenly observing all about him which is not always pleasant; drunken skinheads, red light ladies squirming on storefront windows poles, gritty high rise apartment buildings and a taunting bar patron labelling him an “Ossi” (derogatory term for former East Germans after East Germany’s reunification with West Germany).
Citizen Yu appears fascinated with a stylishly dressed young woman and holds bark in his hand like he has never encountered such a substance. The same with the beer he consumes.
He wears a glowing fob and watch what happens and you’ll be convinced he is an alien….well I think so.
The title of the film “A Soil A Culture A River A People” just might be an apt title for an alien report on activities encountered on the planet earth! Add to that lyrics of a song Citizen Yu hears in a bar that include “Let us sing so that we can join together in the sky of hope”.
The short will be playing at the Venice International Film Festival 28August/September/4 and 5.
RKS 2025 Film Rating 90/100.
A Bird's Eye View of Fashion, Food, Travel, Culture, Beverage and Curiosity 