Looking China: The life of a puppeteer

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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.

Puppeteering benefits people, not just physically, but also spiritually. /Looking China screenshot

“Intertwined” is a documentary produced by Lauren Michelle Kesler from Boston University‍, which introduces two puppeteers of the world-famous Quanzhou Marionette Troupe in southeastern China’s Fujian Province. The organization performs traditional Chinese puppet shows around China and the world, receiving much praise and affection.

The master thought that puppeteers must be aware that they are a part of the performance as well. /Looking China screenshot

The documentary follows a master who has been working with puppets for over 38 years, and has learned so much about the life that it has actually shaped his behavior over his long career. Not only does puppeteering provide him with a job, but more importantly, it gives him a sense of happiness. Nowadays, he is eager to share what he has learned over the years with the younger generation, which he sees as his responsibility.

The newcomer finds out puppeteering is much different than what she imagined. /Looking China screenshot

Meanwhile, a young newcomer has been studying the art of the traditional puppet show technique out of fun at the organization since 2011. During her time there, she found out operating puppets is very hard in comparison to the shows that are performed by actors on the stage. While getting to know the teachers, she felt that they were so passionate about puppeteering, which inspired her to make the art wider known in the future.

Puppeteers hope young people can pass down this traditional art form and carry it forward. /Looking China screenshot

Now, the heritage and development of the puppet show's fate lies in the balance. Will this ancient art form survive in a modernized China? What can be done to make puppeteering relevant to a new generation of people worldwide? The consequences are large as the destinies of the puppets and those who operate them are intertwined.

Looking China is a short film series offering a glimpse of China through the lens of 20 foreign filmmakers, and we will be sharing their stories in the coming days and weeks.