list http://www.spout.com/ Recent community activity around Up the Yangtze on Spout Copyright 2005-9 Spout, LLC Spout RSS http://www.spout.com/images/SpoutLogoRSS.jpg http://www.spout.com/ 136 30 http://www.spout.com/films/Up_the_Yangtze/351435/default.aspx Title: Up the Yangtze
Year: 2008
Director: Yung Chang
Plot: Director Yung Chang uses the construction of China's massive Three Gorges Dam as a springboard to better understanding the social hierarchies and changing times in his homeland in this documentary focusing on the luxury cruise ship that carries predominately Western tourists down the Yangtze River. Constructed as a symbol of modern progress in China, the Three Gorges Dam has forced millions of common people out of their ancestral homes, and will soon swallow up numerous nearby towns and villages. Despite the fact that the government has funded alterative housing for the dislocated families, however, many citizens make their way to higher ground feeling as if they have been duped by the powers that be. In order to truly understand how this affects the people, Chang focuses on telling the stories of middle-class scion Chen Bo Yu (renamed "Jerry" by the cruise line) and Yu Shui (who answers to the call of "Cindy" while on duty). As the ship sets sail, this hard-working pair do their best to familiarize themselves with Western social cues, striving to perform to the best of their abilities, and ponder the prospects of a brighter future. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Number of Lists: 6
Number of blog posts: 8
Number of discussion threads: 1
SpoutRating: 3
]]>Wed, 31 Dec 2008 22:15:46 GMTUp the Yangtze2008Yung ChangDirector Yung Chang uses the construction of China's massive Three Gorges Dam as a springboard to better understanding the social hierarchies and changing times in his homeland in this documentary focusing on the luxury cruise ship that carries predominately Western tourists down the Yangtze River. Constructed as a symbol of modern progress in China, the Three Gorges Dam has forced millions of common people out of their ancestral homes, and will soon swallow up numerous nearby towns and villages. Despite the fact that the government has funded alterative housing for the dislocated families, however, many citizens make their way to higher ground feeling as if they have been duped by the powers that be. In order to truly understand how this affects the people, Chang focuses on telling the stories of middle-class scion Chen Bo Yu (renamed "Jerry" by the cruise line) and Yu Shui (who answers to the call of "Cindy" while on duty). As the ship sets sail, this hard-working pair do their best to familiarize themselves with Western social cues, striving to perform to the best of their abilities, and ponder the prospects of a brighter future. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide6813http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/s351435.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Up_the_Yangtze/351435/default.aspxFilm http://www.spout.com/blogs/jimbell/archive/2008/11/9/37122.aspx Post By: JimBell
Post To: JimBell Blog
Post Date: 11/9/2008 3:31:19 AM
Body: Up the Yangtze (2007) is a tricky documentary. It has a slow, gentle pace that makes it seem at first glance to be as far removed from a dramatic, opinionated Michael Moore documentary as possible. As the Canadian director and his China-born father (we never see them) cruise up the Yangtze on a “farewell tour” before it is flooded for the world’s biggest hydro-electric project, we follow the lives of two young people working on the boat, a brash young man who is the product or victim of China’s one-child policy, and, primarily, a 16-year old girl from a poor, illiterate family who live in a shack on the riverbank and grow their own vegetables. The triumph of the film is to gain intimate access to the girl’s family—washing the cat, picking corn, discussing the family’s survival, and moving by carrying it up the banks on their backs. The easy-going, respectful, and gracious look belies the fact that the director advocates a position on the Three Gorges Dam every bit as insistently as Michael Moore advocates a position in his polemical documentaries. This becomes clear if you ask what Up the Yangtze does not tell you. It documents meticulously what is being lost by China’s modernization, but what does it show about what is being gained? We see only urban concrete jungles with slender women sporting Western fashions, and we see is some detail a luxury cruise boat where the gap between the Chinese staff and the rich Western tourists is clear and awkward. Is there nothing else? The film shows the negative effects of the Three Gorges Dam, as we see the farmer’s house and land flood in time-lapse photography, but never once do we hear why the dam was build or what benefits it might bring. While Up the Yangtze failed as a documentary on the Three Gorges Dam or the wider issue of modernization in China, it succeeded in giving a behind-the-scenes look into a poor Chinese farming family and a modernizing cruise boat staffed by a complex mix of young Chinese people. I feel privileged to have met the family, and I will never look at a tourist operation such as the cruise ship the same way again.
]]>Sun, 09 Nov 2008 08:31:19 GMTJimBellJimBell Blog11/9/2008 3:31:19 AMUp the Yangtze (2007) is a tricky documentary. It has a slow, gentle pace that makes it seem at first glance to be as far removed from a dramatic, opinionated Michael Moore documentary as possible. As the Canadian director and his China-born father (we never see them) cruise up the Yangtze on a “farewell tour” before it is flooded for the world’s biggest hydro-electric project, we follow the lives of two young people working on the boat, a brash young man who is the product or victim of China’s one-child policy, and, primarily, a 16-year old girl from a poor, illiterate family who live in a shack on the riverbank and grow their own vegetables. The triumph of the film is to gain intimate access to the girl’s family—washing the cat, picking corn, discussing the family’s survival, and moving by carrying it up the banks on their backs. The easy-going, respectful, and gracious look belies the fact that the director advocates a position on the Three Gorges Dam every bit as insistently as Michael Moore advocates a position in his polemical documentaries. This becomes clear if you ask what Up the Yangtze does not tell you. It documents meticulously what is being lost by China’s modernization, but what does it show about what is being gained? We see only urban concrete jungles with slender women sporting Western fashions, and we see is some detail a luxury cruise boat where the gap between the Chinese staff and the rich Western tourists is clear and awkward. Is there nothing else? The film shows the negative effects of the Three Gorges Dam, as we see the farmer’s house and land flood in time-lapse photography, but never once do we hear why the dam was build or what benefits it might bring. While Up the Yangtze failed as a documentary on the Three Gorges Dam or the wider issue of modernization in China, it succeeded in giving a behind-the-scenes look into a poor Chinese farming family and a modernizing cruise boat staffed by a complex mix of young Chinese people. I feel privileged to have met the family, and I will never look at a tourist operation such as the cruise ship the same way again. http://www.spout.com/blogs/billhr/archive/2008/1/25/24332.aspx Post By: billhr
Post To: Movies on appliedthinking
Post Date: 1/25/2008 9:09:30 AM
Body: Sundance Film Festival I’ve been in Park City for 6 days now and have only been able to see a handful of films (Up the Yangtze, Diary of the Dead, Be Kind Rewind and Where In The World Is Osama Bin Ladin?). Why? Too busy being the “suit” for Spout. I’ve been purposefully skipping some of the press screenings I’ve had scheduled to make time to talk to people within the industry. And by people in the industry, I’m not talking about celebrities. I’m talking about the people who get the work done at media companies, distributors, other film festivals, etc. Not that I don’t enjoy a celebrity sighting as much as the next guy. In fact, here is the list of people I have seen so far: Oliver Stone Maroon 5 Dennis Quaid John Legend Colin Firth Livia Firth Woody Harrelson Morgan Spurlock Colin Ferrel Giada DeLaurentis Rachel Dratch Stanley Tucci George Romero And there are probably others, but as cold as it’s been around here, it is hard to recognize people with their hoods up and knit caps pulled low. Tomorrow, we’re headed home. In the meantime, if you haven’t checked it out already, take a look at our blog and video coverage that has been presented by MySpace Film. Originally posted on:appliedthinking
]]>Fri, 25 Jan 2008 14:09:30 GMTbillhrMovies on appliedthinking1/25/2008 9:09:30 AM Sundance Film Festival I’ve been in Park City for 6 days now and have only been able to see a handful of films (Up the Yangtze, Diary of the Dead, Be Kind Rewind and Where In The World Is Osama Bin Ladin?). Why? Too busy being the “suit” for Spout. I’ve been purposefully skipping some of the press screenings I’ve had scheduled to make time to talk to people within the industry. And by people in the industry, I’m not talking about celebrities. I’m talking about the people who get the work done at media companies, distributors, other film festivals, etc. Not that I don’t enjoy a celebrity sighting as much as the next guy. In fact, here is the list of people I have seen so far: Oliver Stone Maroon 5 Dennis Quaid John Legend Colin Firth Livia Firth Woody Harrelson Morgan Spurlock Colin Ferrel Giada DeLaurentis Rachel Dratch Stanley Tucci George Romero And there are probably others, but as cold as it’s been around here, it is hard to recognize people with their hoods up and knit caps pulled low. Tomorrow, we’re headed home. In the meantime, if you haven’t checked it out already, take a look at our blog and video coverage that has been presented by MySpace Film. Originally posted on:appliedthinking http://www.spout.com/blogs/spoutblog/archive/2008/1/22/24221.aspx Post By: SpoutBlog
Post To: SpoutBlog on spout.com
Post Date: 1/22/2008 4:00:51 PM
Body: Yung Chang’s documentary Up the Yangtze had the honor of being the first sale at a Sundance that has turned out to be a rather quiet marketplace. The film explores the area of the Yangtze River currently being flooded by the Three Gorges Dam, the largest hydroelectric project in the world. As millions are being displaced by rising waters, luxury ships known as “farewell cruises” tour the coastal areas soon to be submerged. Chang’s film follows two young employees on once such boat, as they navigate the difficulties of working their first jobs, set against the back ground of a rapidly changing China. Also on SpoutBlog: Karina writes about the film’s sale to Zeitgeist Films, and Chris offers his thoughts about the trailer. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog
]]>Tue, 22 Jan 2008 21:00:51 GMTSpoutBlogSpoutBlog on spout.com1/22/2008 4:00:51 PM Yung Chang’s documentary Up the Yangtze had the honor of being the first sale at a Sundance that has turned out to be a rather quiet marketplace. The film explores the area of the Yangtze River currently being flooded by the Three Gorges Dam, the largest hydroelectric project in the world. As millions are being displaced by rising waters, luxury ships known as “farewell cruises” tour the coastal areas soon to be submerged. Chang’s film follows two young employees on once such boat, as they navigate the difficulties of working their first jobs, set against the back ground of a rapidly changing China. Also on SpoutBlog: Karina writes about the film’s sale to Zeitgeist Films, and Chris offers his thoughts about the trailer. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog http://www.spout.com/blogs/spoutblog/archive/2008/1/18/24024.aspx Post By: SpoutBlog
Post To: SpoutBlog on spout.com
Post Date: 1/18/2008 12:01:14 PM
Body: There are many reasons to review the trailer for Up the Yangtze today. First it was recommended viewing by one of our readers. Then it had the honor of being the first sale at Sundance. And now it’s about to have its first screening at Holiday Village (at 12:15 PM Mountain Time). The documentary, from Canadian filmmaker Yung Chang, has already played at a few film festivals, including the Vancouver International Film Festival, where it won the prize for Best Canadian Documentary, and it is now competing for the World Cinema - Documentary prize at Sundance. While it may be possible to see Up the Yangtze someday courtesy of its new distributor Zeitgeist Films (Manufactured Landscapes), the doc sounds like a safe bet for those of you looking for a quality non-fiction film to see while in Park City. The film deals with China’s construction of the controversial Three Gorges Dam, a hydro-electric operation located on the Yangtze River that is significantly affecting the local environment and people. But Chang’s focus appears to be on the people, who are being forced to relocate or become exploited by the tourist trade. Not being too familiar with the issues related to the dam, it took me two viewings of the Up the Yangtze trailer to somewhat get what the doc is about (I was mostly perplexed by those awful tourists dressed in Chinese costume). It’s a good thing to be left a little confused by a trailer, though, especially if it leaves one curious enough to watch the video again. Now I am intrigued enough to want to know more, which should obviously be the goal for a documentary trailer. Variety’s John Anderson has already written that the DV cinematography in Up the Yangtze is “spectacular” and the Montreal Mirror’s Matthew Hays wrote that the film, “is one of those experiences that reinvigorates and restores your faith in the documentary film medium.” After today’s screening, Up the Yangtze will also play in Park City tomorrow night, Sunday morning and Monday at noon. It is also screening tomorrow in Salt Lake City. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog
]]>Fri, 18 Jan 2008 17:01:14 GMTSpoutBlogSpoutBlog on spout.com1/18/2008 12:01:14 PM There are many reasons to review the trailer for Up the Yangtze today. First it was recommended viewing by one of our readers. Then it had the honor of being the first sale at Sundance. And now it’s about to have its first screening at Holiday Village (at 12:15 PM Mountain Time). The documentary, from Canadian filmmaker Yung Chang, has already played at a few film festivals, including the Vancouver International Film Festival, where it won the prize for Best Canadian Documentary, and it is now competing for the World Cinema - Documentary prize at Sundance. While it may be possible to see Up the Yangtze someday courtesy of its new distributor Zeitgeist Films (Manufactured Landscapes), the doc sounds like a safe bet for those of you looking for a quality non-fiction film to see while in Park City. The film deals with China’s construction of the controversial Three Gorges Dam, a hydro-electric operation located on the Yangtze River that is significantly affecting the local environment and people. But Chang’s focus appears to be on the people, who are being forced to relocate or become exploited by the tourist trade. Not being too familiar with the issues related to the dam, it took me two viewings of the Up the Yangtze trailer to somewhat get what the doc is about (I was mostly perplexed by those awful tourists dressed in Chinese costume). It’s a good thing to be left a little confused by a trailer, though, especially if it leaves one curious enough to watch the video again. Now I am intrigued enough to want to know more, which should obviously be the goal for a documentary trailer. Variety’s John Anderson has already written that the DV cinematography in Up the Yangtze is “spectacular” and the Montreal Mirror’s Matthew Hays wrote that the film, “is one of those experiences that reinvigorates and restores your faith in the documentary film medium.” After today’s screening, Up the Yangtze will also play in Park City tomorrow night, Sunday morning and Monday at noon. It is also screening tomorrow in Salt Lake City. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog http://www.spout.com/blogs/karina/archive/2008/1/17/24005.aspx Post By: Karina
Post To: Karina on SpoutBlog
Post Date: 1/17/2008 5:01:22 PM
Body: Here’s our running tally of each of the distribution deals announced throughout the course of the Sundance Film Festival. We will update this post whenever new information comes in, so bookmark it and keep checking back for the newest latest. Title Distributor Rights Bought $$$ More Info The Black List HBO Domestic TV, Oscar qualifying N/A indieWIRE CSNY Deja Vu Fortissimo Worldwide Theatrical N/A indieWIRE Up the Yangtze Zeitgeist Theatrical N/A indieWIRE Originally posted on:SpoutBlog » karina
]]>Thu, 17 Jan 2008 22:01:22 GMTKarinaKarina on SpoutBlog1/17/2008 5:01:22 PMHere’s our running tally of each of the distribution deals announced throughout the course of the Sundance Film Festival. We will update this post whenever new information comes in, so bookmark it and keep checking back for the newest latest. Title Distributor Rights Bought $$$ More Info The Black List HBO Domestic TV, Oscar qualifying N/A indieWIRE CSNY Deja Vu Fortissimo Worldwide Theatrical N/A indieWIRE Up the Yangtze Zeitgeist Theatrical N/A indieWIRE Originally posted on:SpoutBlog » karina http://www.spout.com/blogs/spoutblog/archive/2008/1/17/24004.aspx Post By: SpoutBlog
Post To: SpoutBlog on spout.com
Post Date: 1/17/2008 5:01:16 PM
Body: Here’s our running tally of each of the distribution deals announced throughout the course of the Sundance Film Festival. We will update this post whenever new information comes in, so bookmark it and keep checking back for the newest latest. Title Distributor Rights Bought $$$ More Info The Black List HBO Domestic TV, Oscar qualifying N/A indieWIRE CSNY Deja Vu Fortissimo Worldwide Theatrical N/A indieWIRE Up the Yangtze Zeitgeist Theatrical N/A indieWIRE Originally posted on:SpoutBlog
]]>Thu, 17 Jan 2008 22:01:16 GMTSpoutBlogSpoutBlog on spout.com1/17/2008 5:01:16 PMHere’s our running tally of each of the distribution deals announced throughout the course of the Sundance Film Festival. We will update this post whenever new information comes in, so bookmark it and keep checking back for the newest latest. Title Distributor Rights Bought $$$ More Info The Black List HBO Domestic TV, Oscar qualifying N/A indieWIRE CSNY Deja Vu Fortissimo Worldwide Theatrical N/A indieWIRE Up the Yangtze Zeitgeist Theatrical N/A indieWIRE Originally posted on:SpoutBlog http://www.spout.com/blogs/karina/archive/2008/1/17/24001.aspx Post By: Karina
Post To: Karina on SpoutBlog
Post Date: 1/17/2008 2:00:56 PM
Body: Neither the press nor public screenings have yet begun, but indieWIRE reports that there have already been two sales here at the Sundance Film Festival. Up the Yangtze, a much-buzzed-about documentary by Yung Chang about the construction of a super-sized hydroelectric dam on the the ancient river and its effects on the lives of those living alongside it, has been acquired by Zeitgeist for release in April. Meanwhile, the festival’s closing night film, the Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young concert film CSNY Deja Vu, has been picked up by Fortissimo. In other news, the Spout team is in Park City and ready, as our banner ads promise, to crash Sundance. We’ll start posting reviews late tomorrow, but check back later today for the first installment of our video coverage of the fest, produced by Ronnie Bronstein and Joe Swanberg of Butterknife. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog » karina
]]>Thu, 17 Jan 2008 19:00:56 GMTKarinaKarina on SpoutBlog1/17/2008 2:00:56 PMNeither the press nor public screenings have yet begun, but indieWIRE reports that there have already been two sales here at the Sundance Film Festival. Up the Yangtze, a much-buzzed-about documentary by Yung Chang about the construction of a super-sized hydroelectric dam on the the ancient river and its effects on the lives of those living alongside it, has been acquired by Zeitgeist for release in April. Meanwhile, the festival’s closing night film, the Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young concert film CSNY Deja Vu, has been picked up by Fortissimo. In other news, the Spout team is in Park City and ready, as our banner ads promise, to crash Sundance. We’ll start posting reviews late tomorrow, but check back later today for the first installment of our video coverage of the fest, produced by Ronnie Bronstein and Joe Swanberg of Butterknife. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog » karina http://www.spout.com/blogs/spoutblog/archive/2008/1/17/24000.aspx Post By: SpoutBlog
Post To: SpoutBlog on spout.com
Post Date: 1/17/2008 2:00:46 PM
Body: Neither the press nor public screenings have yet begun, but indieWIRE reports that there have already been two sales here at the Sundance Film Festival. Up the Yangtze, a much-buzzed-about documentary by Yung Chang about the construction of a super-sized hydroelectric dam on the the ancient river and its effects on the lives of those living alongside it, has been acquired by Zeitgeist for release in April. Meanwhile, the festival’s closing night film, the Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young concert film CSNY Deja Vu, has been picked up by Fortissimo. In other news, the Spout team is in Park City and ready, as our banner ads promise, to crash Sundance. We’ll start posting reviews late tomorrow, but check back later today for the first installment of our video coverage of the fest, produced by Ronnie Bronstein and Joe Swanberg of Butterknife. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog
]]>Thu, 17 Jan 2008 19:00:46 GMTSpoutBlogSpoutBlog on spout.com1/17/2008 2:00:46 PMNeither the press nor public screenings have yet begun, but indieWIRE reports that there have already been two sales here at the Sundance Film Festival. Up the Yangtze, a much-buzzed-about documentary by Yung Chang about the construction of a super-sized hydroelectric dam on the the ancient river and its effects on the lives of those living alongside it, has been acquired by Zeitgeist for release in April. Meanwhile, the festival’s closing night film, the Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young concert film CSNY Deja Vu, has been picked up by Fortissimo. In other news, the Spout team is in Park City and ready, as our banner ads promise, to crash Sundance. We’ll start posting reviews late tomorrow, but check back later today for the first installment of our video coverage of the fest, produced by Ronnie Bronstein and Joe Swanberg of Butterknife. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog http://www.spout.com/groups/Sundance/The_Film_at_Sundance_08_I_have_to_see_is/532/23891/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: porcupine
Post To: Sundance
Post Date: 1/14/2008 10:23:33 PM
Body: I'm really looking forward to Time Crimes, Sleep Dealer, and Up the Yangtze. I do want to see the Mary-Kate Olsen/Ben Kingsley/Method Man circus The Wackness, but more because of all the "isn't this so crazy..." buzz. My hunch is the film will be unremarkable.
]]>Tue, 15 Jan 2008 03:23:33 GMTporcupineSundance1/14/2008 10:23:33 PMI'm really looking forward to Time Crimes, Sleep Dealer, and Up the Yangtze. I do want to see the Mary-Kate Olsen/Ben Kingsley/Method Man circus The Wackness, but more because of all the "isn't this so crazy..." buzz. My hunch is the film will be unremarkable. http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/china/MemberTagFilms.aspxchina
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