Deschutes Public Library

Falling from the Sky

eng

videorecording

Falling from the Sky

Originally produced by Zhang Zanbo in 2009

144

The little-known county of Suining in Hunan Province is an ordinary yet magical place. As the site of the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, the area has experienced many instances of falling rocket debris since the 1990s. These mysterious and dangerous "visitors from the heavens" have disrupted the lives of its 160,000 residents. 2008 was both the year China hosted the Olympics and its "year of aerospace." Beneath the veneer of these national celebrations, the residents of Suining were forced once again to face their peculiar fate while satellite debris fell from the sky. "*In FALLING FROM THE SKY, debris from China's satellites crashes down without regard for the people living in the launchpad's environs. It is the same with the state and its people-their trauma and their destiny are tied to and suppressed by the nation's pursuit of glory.*" - ***Ai Weiwei***

live action