The spirit of reconstruction
Feng Xiaogang’s moving film about the aftermath of the 1976 Tangshan earthquake, Aftershock, premiered in Islamabad.
ISLAMABAD:
Feng Xiaogang’s moving film about the aftermath of the 1976 Tangshan earthquake, Aftershock, premiered in Islamabad on Sunday. The film premier was part of the extended Chinese Culture week being held at Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA).
The film was aired at the PNCA auditorium to an audience that comprised students from a local school and other curious Islamabadis trying to find an interesting pastime on a dull Sunday afternoon.
The film revolves around a brother and his twin sister, who get separated during the devastating Tangshan earthquake and are reunited after 32 years.
Aftershock aptly captures the aftermath of The Great Tangshan Earthquake, which killed 665,000 people (official Chinese figure), completely destroyed the city’s infrastructure and demolished all sense of hope and optimism in the city residents.
The film’s premiere in Pakistan, right after the country faced one of the most terrifying natural disasters in its history, is strategically significant. Through an event engulfed in despair and despondency, Aftershock tells an anecdote of hope.
Although the earthquake completely razed the city, Tangshan today stands as one of the financial capitals of China.
While people from all over China played a role, the movie gives most of the credit for the city’s rebirth to the people of Tangshan itself.
Sana Jamal, a journalist, said, “The film had a very human quality to it. It defined human feelings and is relatable to Pakistanis in their grief for the flood victims.”
The main peg of the film seems to revolve around the fact that while others may, the fight to get back up on their own two feet lies mostly on the affected people themselves.
Gulfam Shahzadi, a local housewife, said: “The film was very touching and inspiring. It shows how we can help recreate areas that have been destroyed by the floods.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 27th, 2010.
Feng Xiaogang’s moving film about the aftermath of the 1976 Tangshan earthquake, Aftershock, premiered in Islamabad on Sunday. The film premier was part of the extended Chinese Culture week being held at Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA).
The film was aired at the PNCA auditorium to an audience that comprised students from a local school and other curious Islamabadis trying to find an interesting pastime on a dull Sunday afternoon.
The film revolves around a brother and his twin sister, who get separated during the devastating Tangshan earthquake and are reunited after 32 years.
Aftershock aptly captures the aftermath of The Great Tangshan Earthquake, which killed 665,000 people (official Chinese figure), completely destroyed the city’s infrastructure and demolished all sense of hope and optimism in the city residents.
The film’s premiere in Pakistan, right after the country faced one of the most terrifying natural disasters in its history, is strategically significant. Through an event engulfed in despair and despondency, Aftershock tells an anecdote of hope.
Although the earthquake completely razed the city, Tangshan today stands as one of the financial capitals of China.
While people from all over China played a role, the movie gives most of the credit for the city’s rebirth to the people of Tangshan itself.
Sana Jamal, a journalist, said, “The film had a very human quality to it. It defined human feelings and is relatable to Pakistanis in their grief for the flood victims.”
The main peg of the film seems to revolve around the fact that while others may, the fight to get back up on their own two feet lies mostly on the affected people themselves.
Gulfam Shahzadi, a local housewife, said: “The film was very touching and inspiring. It shows how we can help recreate areas that have been destroyed by the floods.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 27th, 2010.