Just 4.9 miles from the heart of Beijing, China's bustling capital, lies a large-scale urban village. This area is home to a large number of people who work in Beijing to earn a living—restaurant staff, delivery drivers, cleaners, the like—as well as sex workers who work within the village ( the sex work profession is not recognised and is illegal in China).
However, in May of 2025, the government announced plans to demolish and clear the village, a decision that will significantly impact the lives of many residents, forcing them to relocate and find new places to live. The exhibition 'Uncertain Blue' will feature the life scenes, faces, and voices of village residents before the demolition, captured by independent documentary filmmaker CocoMori, along with transcripts of conversations with some of the residents, as well as photos and descriptions of their spaces. Their living conditions are rarely known to the general public. Uncertain Blue ' began this spring, when the local government had yet to respond to the demolition. Everyone was in a state of uncertainty, relying on hearsay and assumptions about whether they would be demolished or impacted. When I presented my camera, their anxiety and confusion spread. As a creator, I felt such concerns overshadowed the vivid scenes in the village.
This project was made as a reflective piece, to show a life that is not far from us; they are an essential part of society and are facing repercussions. I hope that the project will raise thoughts and foster understanding between people. Additionally, the exhibition will present a short documentary film that pays homage to director Anqi Ju's experimental documentary film 'There is a Strong Wind in Beijing' (2000). Twenty-five years later, on a windy day, I entered the village with the same question: 'Do you think the wind in Beijing is strong?' It serves as the starting point, and the responses from the diverse people are varied.
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