Tie Xi Qu: West of the Tracks (2002)
Director: Wang Bing
9 hour long film that details the slow decline of Shenyang’s industrial Tiexi district, an area that was once a vibrant example of China’s socialist economy.
Part 1: Rust (0:00:00)
The first portion, "Rust," follows a group of factory workers in three state-run factories: a smelting plant, an electric cable factory and a sheet metal factory. Workers of all three are hindered by sub-standard equipment, hazardous waste, and a lack of safety precautions. Perhaps even worse, the declining need for heavy industry results in a constant shortage of raw materials, leaving the workers idle and concerned for their future. In Chinese, this section is called 工廠 (gōngchǎng), meaning "factory".
Part 2: Remnants (4:03:37)
The second part, "Remnants" follows the families of many of the workers in an old state-run housing block, "Rainbow Row." In particular, Wang focuses on the teenage children who concern themselves with their own lives but must also cope with their inevitable displacement as Tie Xi's factories continue to close down. In Chinese, this section is called 艳粉街 (Yànfěn Jiē), meaning "Yanfen Street."
Part 3: Rails (7:01:47)
The third part, "Rails" narrows its focus to a single father and son who scavenge the rail yards in order to sell raw parts to the factories. With the factories closing however, their future suddenly becomes uncertain. In Chinese, this section is called 铁路 (tiělù), meaning "railway."
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