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China's Wild West

11 minutes     Documentary / Educational / Environmental / IndieFlix Official Selections

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

Intended Audience: Family

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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.

Meet the Filmmaker

Director's Statement:

40 times more valuable than gold, Jade can sometimes be 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 Uyghur 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
  • Run Time: 11 minutes
  • Release Date: 2009
  • Country: China
  • Intended Audience: family
  • Website China's Wild West
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.

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