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West of the Tracks: Rails
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Filmmaker Name:
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Wang Bing
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Film Length:
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132 min
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Film Year:
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2003
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Duration:
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Over 120 min
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Decade:
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2000s
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Series:
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West of the Tracks series
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Subtitle Language:
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English subtitles
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Color:
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color
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Region:
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Asia
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This film is a part of West of the Tracks, which has three parts: Rust, Remnants, and Rails – which may be viewed and purchased separately.
West of the Tracks: Rails
A system of freight railways carries raw materials and finished goods in and out of Shenyang. Lingering snow and smoke create an oppressive atmosphere, and there are few signs of life as the trains make their way through the maze of nearly-abandoned factories. Workers do their jobs mechanically, passing the time with gossip, cards, and cigarettes. Gathering coal to heat the freezing break room is a major concern. Like many others, Old Du is concerned about his family's future. He and his teenaged son live uneasily, afraid of being evicted from their tiny apartment.
Spring brings a short relief from the harsh weather, and now instead of snow, weeds cover the tracks. Rail workers relax in shorts. An argument flares up between a worker and one of the bosses, but things settle down into the regular rhythm of running the trains. Autumn comes around, and searching for scrap metal in the freight yards is a popular way to earn extra money. Old Du and his son have moved. For the 2001 Chinese New Year, he lights a single firework in the field next to his house. Friends come for drinks and a steaming hot meal, and the conversation turns to cynicism about love and marriage, as everyone helps make a batch of dumplings.
Film Festivals, Screenings, Awards
Grand Prize, International Documentary Festival, Marseille, 2003
Grand Prize, Festival du Film, Yamagata, 2003
Grand Prize, International Documentary Festival, Lisbon, 2002
Berlin International Film Festival, 2002
Montgolfiere d'Or Juried Prize for Documentary, 3 Continents Festival, Nantes
Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival, Ithaca, NY, 2009
forumdoc.bh.2009, Brazil
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