By CNTV Panview editor team
Editor’s foreword: "Looking China" International Youth Film Project is co-organized by the Academy for International Communication of Chinese Culture (AICCC), Beijing Normal University and Huilin Foundation, which aims to showcase the contrasting simplicity and glamour, the antiquity and fashion of China through unique perspectives of young foreign film makers.
As of the year 2016, 101 students from 25 countries were invited to participate in the project. They were stationed in 13 municipality, provinces and autonomous regions here in China. Every filmmaker has worked out a 10-minute short film about Chinese culture around the topic of “ethnic minority”.
The film, Songs from Kansu, directed by Pedro Brito, follows the Akyn singer Jianhur from Kansu City in China’s northwest Xinjiang Autonomous Region, who visits a rural village near the China-Kazakhstan border.
Jianhur is a member of the Kazak ethnic community and the film begins with him standing in front of gorgeous mountain scenery. He holds his traditional stringed instrument, dombra, similar to a guitar, and sings folk songs.
Akyn is sung in a narrative format with the singer explaining his surroundings and the people. The rural village is composed largely of nomadic sheep herders, who wear traditional outfits.
Kazaks support strong family values and ancient customs. They hold remarkable similarities to Mongolians, living in yurts, tents, and a passion for horses.
Festivities are held for children to engage in horse racing on rolling green hills. Regional scenery is so stunning. Nature lovers would have a great time here.
Jianhur appears to have the true spirit of a nomad, visiting the village for a few days and saying fond farewells afterwards. A nomad can never stand still for long, but sometimes wandering to different lands can lead to moments of sadness and regrets.
( The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Panview or CCTV.com. )
Panview offers a new window of understanding the world as well as China through the views, opinions, and analysis of experts. We also welcome outside submissions, so feel free to send in your own editorials to "globalopinion@vip.cntv.cn" for consideration.
