The Three Gorges Dam project in China, which will provide hydroelectric power but will cause the submersion of villages along the river bank, is the background of this film. Along with that, the film documents the stories of Sanming and Shen Hong, whose respective spouses have left them. Both are traveling to villages that are going to be submerged and are currently being demolished by unskilled labor, to find them. The cinematography in this film is excellent, illustrating the perpetually foggy conditions and the demolition work that is being done. The two people who star in this film play this so much like real life the movie seems almost like an intimate documentary. The story told in this film is one that is going on right now, mainly people being displaced from their homes and being sent elsewhere. The film is almost at a glacial pace, but that is necessary. I was more interested in Shen Hong's story until Sanming's story was resolved. This film has some sadness attached to it, you do feel for these displaced people. This film is not for everyone due to its slow pacing, but its an important film about the Three Gorges Dam project, how it affects the people impacted directly. Not all progress is good for everyone.
Review of Still Life
