A feature documentary by Yung Chang
HD/94 minutes/2007

A luxury cruise boat motors up the Yangtze — navigating the mythic waterway known in China simply as “The River.” The Yangtze is about to be transformed by the biggest hydroelectric dam in history.

At the river’s edge — a young woman says goodbye to her family as the floodwaters rise towards their small homestead.

The Three Gorges Dam — contested symbol of the Chinese economic miracle — provides the epic backdrop for Up the Yangtze, a dramatic feature documentary on life inside the 21st century Chinese dream.

Chinese-Canadian filmmaker Yung Chang crafts a moving depiction of peasant life, a powerful narrative of contemporary China, and a disquieting glimpse into a future that awaits us all.

“I have seen few films over the last few years on this general subject that are as strong and aesthetically pleasing as this one. Mixed reality styles, beautiful and artful, are blended with vérité scenes into a fresher, more character-revealing whole,” says Peter Wintonick, International Editor of Toronto-based POV Magazine.

The film made its world premiere at the Vancouver International Film Festival, and plays again Sunday, October 7, 11:00 am at the Pacific Cinémathèque.

Produced by EyesteelFilm in co-production with the National Film Board of Canada

See http://www.onf.ca/webextension/up-the-yangtze/ for more information