The Old Donkey

  • 112'
  • China
  • 2010
It is winter in the northern Chinese province of Dansu. In order to build a chemical factory, poor farmers in the village of Gaotai are driven off their land by a local businessman and the party bosses of the Communist village council. But 84-year-old Ma, nicknamed 'the old donkey', refuses to leave his field. And he just happens to have a crucial piece of land.
In the face of all the jubilant stories about the wealth China is acquiring thanks to capitalism, young director Li Ruijun strikes a critical note. The transition from deeply rooted communism with its omnipotent village councils to the free market is anything but flawless, according to the maker.
The film is not very optimistic about the resistance that the farmers can offer. In an apparently pointless battle, Ma tries to prevent the advancing desert from consuming the graves of his parents. The camera work by Yang Jin puts the characters in the desolate and threatening yet also beautiful landscapes around Gaotai, the birthplace of the director.

  • 112'
  • China
  • 2010
Director
Li Ruijun
Premiere
European premiere
Country of production
China
Year
2010
Festival Edition
IFFR 2011
Length
112'
Medium
HDcam
Original title
Lao lu tou
Language
Chinese
Producers
Zeng Wenwen, Cui Zi'en, Zhang Xian-min
Production Companies
Li Ruijun Film Studio, Indie Workshop
Sales
Li Ruijun Film Studio
Screenplay
Li Ruijun
Cinematography
Yang Jin
Editor
Zhang Jun, Li Ruijun
Production Design
Cui Zi'en, Zeng Wenwen, Zhang Xianmin
Sound Design
Lou Kun
Music
Li Ruijun
Cast
Zhang Min
Local Distributor
Hubert Bals Fund
Director
Li Ruijun
Premiere
European premiere
Country of production
China
Year
2010
Festival Edition
IFFR 2011
Length
112'
Medium
HDcam
Original title
Lao lu tou
Language
Chinese
Producers
Zeng Wenwen, Cui Zi'en, Zhang Xian-min
Production Companies
Li Ruijun Film Studio, Indie Workshop
Sales
Li Ruijun Film Studio
Screenplay
Li Ruijun
Cinematography
Yang Jin
Editor
Zhang Jun, Li Ruijun
Production Design
Cui Zi'en, Zeng Wenwen, Zhang Xianmin
Sound Design
Lou Kun
Music
Li Ruijun
Cast
Zhang Min
Local Distributor
Hubert Bals Fund