Looking China is a short film series made by a group of young film directors from over 20 countries. They traveled to various places across China, making films and exploring Chinese culture with the help of students from local universities.
Akyns song cycle is a form of poetry and folk entertainment in the Kazak culture that is a song-like recitative improvisation with the accompaniment of a dombra, a folk string instrument.
Jiahenur, a prestigious Akyn singer in his region, is our guide on a musical journey through the life of the Kazaks in the Chinese city of Kansu, his hometown.
The voiceover in the documentary was improvised by Jiahenur, and the Dombra solos were played by his son Alaxi.
Looking China is a short film series offering a glimpse of China through the lens of 20 foreign filmmakers. We will be sharing their stories in the coming days and weeks.
