The Magical
Craftsmanship of Suzhou
天工苏作
Midwest Premiere
China | Documentary | 2022 | 91 minutes | In Mandarin and Shanghainese w/English subtitles
Director: Sun Zeng-tian
Film Source: Chinalion Film Distribution, Inc.
In-Cinema Screening
Saturday, September 10 at 11 AM
@ Claudia Cassidy Theater in Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington St., Chicago)
SYNOPSIS
Focusing on twelve artisan specialists living in the folk craft-centric city of Suzhou, THE MAGICAL CRAFTSMANSHIP OF SUZHOU explores their plight of aging, evolving, and finding apprentices for traditional folk crafts not necessarily attractive as work to younger generations. These craft persons worry about their life’s work becoming obsolete, lost to new generations in the face of technology and a changing world. The film is beautifully shot, illuminating and exhilarating.
“This breathtakingly lovely profile of a modern city embracing and honoring the artisans of [its] past is a fitting testament.”—Simon Foster, Screen-Space
“A pleasantly succinct and splendidly filmed movie about the creative impulse and how that impulse is used to respect the past and present.”—Andrew Stover, Film Threat
STILL GALLERY
TRAILER
DIRECTOR
Sun Zeng-tian
Graduated from Beijing Broadcasting Institute in 1983
Director and Producer in China Central Television
Standing Council Member of the Chinese Visual Anthropological Association
Council Member of the Chinese Documentary Association
Council Member of the International Documentary Association（IDA）
1993 The Best Documentary Film Award by the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union
1995 Award of the 9th Parnu International Visual Anthropology Festival
1997 Award of the 11th Parnu International Visual Anthropology Festival
1998 Special Award of the 7th Shanghai International TV Festival
1998 Award of the 3rd Ethno Film Fest Germany Berlin
2001 Silver Screen Award of the second place in the 34th U.S. International Film and Video Festival
2014 The Best Documentary Film Award by Gold Panda
2019 The Magic Craftsmanship of Suzhou - Director
2021 Song of Life
