Educational Media Reviews Online

“Gut wrenching” is the expression that comes to mind when viewing this film. Concrete Revolution examines the surge of construction across Beijing. Behind the veneer of preparation for the 2008 Summer Olympics, the Chinese government has ordered mass evictions from neighborhoods to make way for the construction of roadways, complexes, etc. The film provides several interviews of people displaced by the construction and follows one woman who valiantly, but fruitlessly, resisted her eviction. The scenes are poignant to say the very least.

The film does an excellent job of exploring the peripheral social issues related to the blitz of construction in Beijing. Several migrant workers are interviewed and explain the hardship of having to leave their farming villages and families in order to make a living in the city. Concrete Revolution also does a fine job of showing the evolution of family and social life in Beijing. The minds of younger Chinese are on “capitalist and leisure” motives rather than the collectivist mindset. The film is powerful, but leaves the viewer wanting more. One cannot find fault with the film makers for not being able to find comprehensive statistics on the construction and/or evictions, but some figures or estimates would have been appropriate here. Viewers should also be aware that there is a great deal of shaky camerawork. The film has a very slow pace which is exacerbated by a series of still pictures and sullen musical interludes. The DVD does, however, provide a link to an online lesson plan and guidebook, which educators may find extremely helpful. I recommend this film to educators who want to devote an emotional hour to the social impact of the construction in Beijing.

Awards:

• Winner, 2005 Grand Prix International Human Rights Film Fest