The idealistic rise of democracy and its sad decline – both are given intimate focus in Jill Li’s stirring and clear-eyed documentary. Covering a period of six years, the film chronicles a grassroots democratic movement in the southern Chinese village of Wukan. The villagers band together to protest the corrupt local officials before ousting them and setting up elections of their own. However, after taking control of their territory and destiny, the villagers find themselves beset by the same corruption and cynicism endemic to their previous leaders. Concentrating on a diverse group of villagers key to Wukan’s political revolution, first-time director Li crafts a complex and auspicious debut work.
