The Road

You won't believe it's true. The detailed, multi-faceted portrait of contemporary China seen in Zanbo Zhang's documentary about a highway construction is astonishing. As criticism it makes Ai Weiwei's art look tame in comparison. It is filmed from the perspectives of the construction company, the workers and the locals – the ones who get their Buddha temple demolished, their graves excavated and their houses destroyed by rock blasting. Corruption is ever-present, as is the criticism. One of the highlights of the film shows the migrant workers sitting in front of the television in their underwear, mocking the celebration of the Communist party's 90th anniversary. Above it all hovers the dictatorship that enables the insane building pace and the large profits. (Göteborg Film Festival)