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China's Wild West

11 minutes | Family | 2008 | China

Documentaries / Foreign / IndieFlix Official Selections

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Tagline

Impressionistically portrays a day in the life of the Chinese Muslim Uyghur community hoping to strike it rich.

Synopsis

World Premier at Sundance 2009. China’s remote western region of Xinjiang is home to a booming market in Jade, the gemstone much prized by the Chinese. Local Muslim minority Uyghur turn from farming to digging during the winter months to supplement their income.

Director's Statement

40 times more valuable than gold, Jade is found in the dried-up Yurungkash riverbed in China's remote desert region of Xinjiang. Partly observational, partly impressionistic and filmed covertly, China's Wild West describes a day in the life of the Muslim community hoping to strike it rich. Eschewing politics, it portrays the lives, hopes and expectations of a group of simple, spiritual people who - in more ways than might first be obvious - represent us all.

Directed by: Urszula Pontikos
Written by: Unknown
Produced by: Michael Riley

Cast

Crew

“Hypnotic... stunning” IonCinema.com/SilverDocs

“Visually compelling” One World Int. Human Rights FF

“Austerely beautiful” True/False Int. FF

“Mesmerizing” Full Frame Int. FF

“Masterful photography” Cinemambiente Film Festival

“A moving comment on human aspiration and a devastating portrait of futility” Washington City Paper

Filmed in Western China.

  • Urszula Pontikos

    Director

    Urszula Pontikos

Press

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