The dramatic economic growth amidst potent political struggles makes the People's Republic of China one of the most fascinating countries in the world today. Along with the growth of the Chinese film industry as a whole, documentaries from the country of almost 2 billion people have also become objects of fascination. Even more than the fiction films emerging from the former "Red China", non-fiction works portray the conflicts and opportunities as China emerges as one of the most powerful and influential countries of the 21st Century.

The International Documentary Filmfestival Amsterdam (idfa) will present a fascinating showcase of Chinese documentaries in the program CHINA TRANSIT. Fifteen documentaries, many being seen for the first time outside of their native country, will screen during the Festival.

The films selected offer a unique vision of a country in transition, moving from its communist past into the role of a modern world player on the economic stage, with greater worlwide political influence than it has had in decades. China is a country where the importance of industry and urbanisation keeps growing, as does the gap between the "new wealthy" and the millions still living on the edge of poverty. How all this rapid development is affecting the lives of common Chinese people is the focal point.

From economics to health care to architecture to art, the themes of CHINA TRANSIT will be eye-opening and provocative, providing a rare opportunity to capture the zeitgeist of a nation that is moving towards the future at warp speed.

Shanghai Skyline

For a complete list of the films in the CHINA TRANSIT program, log on to the idfa website: http://www.idfa.nl/idfa_filmsbysection.asp?part=China%20Transit#boven

Sandy Mandelberger
Online Festival Dailies Editor