Tie Xi Qu: West of the Tracks

Tie Xi Qu: West of the Tracks - Part 1: Rust
Tiexi qu
China
2003
176 Min
Color
1.33:1
Mandarin
DIR Wang Bing
PROD Wang Bing, Zhu Zhu
DP Wang Bing
ED Adam Kerby, Wang Bing
SOUND Chen Chen, Bin Hang
My Rating: 5/5 (Great Movie)


I would hate to view this as a documentary. It would possibly shock the developed western world to see the hazardous conditions in which these workers work but the fact is that this is pretty much the reality in most developing countries. I have worked in a factory and I have a first hand experience of this although I could never get as intimate with the workers as the camera does in this film. Anyway, what really impresses me about this work is that the filmmaker had the gumption to tell a story about the ordinary worker who wants to make a living.

The worker regrets not having education and hopes his children don’t have to face hardships like him. He is fed up with his condition but knows that he is pretty much helpless. He hides his sorrow in jokes and laughter. He diverts his attention by playing games, watching porn or playing music. When he can’t do that, he goes ranting about his situation to some coworker or gets into a petty brawl or simply takes a bath. The camera remains a patient observer and listener while all this is happening. It is sympathetic to their concerns. It does not offer an opinion. It simply becomes a part of their lives, following them around like a faithful animal. There is a trust that the camera won’t betray them and it doesn’t. That is where the film maker truly succeeds and I respect him for that.

Although this is a review of Part 1: Rust, the reader is encouraged to watch the next two parts i.e Remnants and Rails. Both are a fascinating insight into the life of the people in the industrial district of Tie Xi Qu district. It's an experience that the enthusiastic cinephile will definitely savor.