One old man, one camera, 75 years of revolution — and he has THOUGHTS.
Xu Xin’s film “Dao Lu” (China 2012) offers an exclusive “in camera” encounter with Zheng Yan, an 83 year-old veteran of the Chinese Red Army, who calmly relates how he has navigated his country’s turbulent history over three-quarters of a century.Born to a wealthy family in a foreign concession, Yan joined the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in 1941 because he sincerely believed in the socialist project, and in its immediate capacity to free China from the Japanese yoke and eradicate deep-rooted corruption.
Direction
Xu Xin's 'in camera' restraint lets Yan's testimony breathe.
Writing
Yan's own words — no narration needed, he's devastating enough.
Director
Xu Xin
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Xu Xin spent years building trust with Yan before filming; the 'in camera' method was born from necessity — Yan refused larger crews.
Released in 2012, this oral history preserves testimony that state archives actively suppress; Yan's specific critiques of post-Mao corruption remain unpublishable in mainland China.
CN
