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.
“Fifth day, fifth month” by Nikita Sampath unwraps the Dragon Boat Festival, one of the traditional festivals in China. On the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar, Chinese people commemorate the late famous Chinese scholar Qu Yuan.
Qu had committed suicide by attaching a heavy stone to his chest and jumping into a river, drowning himself. Some used their boats to search for him, while others threw rice into the water in the hope that the food could prevent the fish from eating the beloved figure’s body.
Nowadays, people mark the occasion by joining dragon boat races and eating Zongzi, glutinous rice stuffed with different fillings.
The film focuses on the concepts of “people, home and country,” which are usually exhibited in traditional festivities.
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.
