THE WORLD

(2004) dir. Zhang Ke Jia; 140min.

FRIDAY, February 18th at 7 & 9:30pm

SATURDAY, February 19th at 7 & 9:30pm

SUNDAY, February 20th at 3pm

The World was selected because of its cultural relevance in relation to China's developing economy and changing culture. The World tells the story of the theme-park workers of suburban Beijing's World Park, a real-life tourist destination which features scaled reproductions of famous world landmarks. The park workers are lonely dreamers who perform lavish Las Vegas type shows for park visitors. The park workers are responsible for creating a reality out of the fantastical sets and scenes from around the world for the park visitors. The real and fantasy worlds the workers live in are central to the characters' relationships and stories. The film inventively incorporates animation and live-action. The World provides a critique of capitalism and modernism in a lavish, theatrical setting. The World is considered one of director Jia Zhangke's most innovative, touching and funniest films to date and was the first of Zhangke's films to be allowed distribution in China.

(NOTE: Even though this trailer has Spanish subtitles, the print we will screen has English subtitles.)