Everyone experience changes in life. Behind each change are multiple opportunities. But the reality is even if one puts in all the efforts, what one gets in return isn’t necessarily the anticipated outcome.
Thirty-three-year-old Xu Xuedong graduated from Xi’an Sports Academy in 1993. He is passionate about gymnastics and decided to give up more lucrative job offers in order to become a gymnastic teacher. With a limited budget the school is unable to hire more teachers, therefore Xu has to wear many hats: in the mornings he teaches gymnastics in the stadium they lease, in the afternoon he teaches chemistry in an ill-equipped classroom. Other times he must also look after the students’ daily life. Everyone considers him a full time teacher. The students dream of winning medals. So cultivating the best gymnasts in order to win medals has become Xu’s lifelong goal.
By a chance encounter, Xu meets 26 year old Xin Rui, a kindergarten teacher. With similar backgrounds, Xin Rui immediate understands and supports Xu’s work. The two fall in love. Suddenly Xu’s uninteresting life as a gym teacher is filled with the warmth and excitement that love brings. However seeing the difficulties of their life, including housing and job, their families and friends disapprove of their union. But despite this, they believe the power of their love bring them a happy and bright future.
A year later, when they begin to talk about marriage, not only have they not resolve the housing problem, new problems ensue: the gym class is dissolves; Xu is left without a job. Fantastical dream intertwines with the hardships of reality sit heavy like the fog in front of them. How will they emerge from this thick fog, make the right decisions and face these changes?
Director: ZHANG Wei
Born in Yan’an City of Shaanxi Province
Graduated from Xi’an University of Art in 2010 and currently resides in Xi’an. Worked in documentary production for many years.
Directed music videos including LONGING FUTURE, BUTTERFLY and DANCE (2008).
Pre-production work for Xi’an Television variety television show CHANGE.
Development work for documentaries ONE MINUTE, DAMING PALACE (2009).
Photograhped for SHAANXI TOP YOUTH, a documentary series for Shaanxi TV.
From The Director
Throughout college I’ve always wanted to make a documentary. A chance encounter introduced me to a gymnastic teacher and his students. I wanted to do a film about how this teacher and his students worked toward a goal of achieving medals. And how through this experience, the teacher and students learn about life’s lessons.
I remember my first meeting with Xu Xuedong, it was during the summer and he was still single. His love and passion for gymnastics was infectious. Standing topless in the gymnasium, he shouted moves to his students with energy and vitality. The students diligently listened to each command.
Over time and through our interactions, his everyday life and love life also attracted me. How he survives is also a representation of how many ordinary Chinese people live, including myself.
After he fell in love with Xin Rui I believe love can change someone. So through the lens, I documented more of their love and intimacy. And without realizing, I shifted my focus from the students and his work as a gym teacher to their personal life.
Around the time I was graduating, I followed Xu Xuedong back to his hometown of Ningxia to get more footage. The conversations between Xu and his father was mostly around buying a house and having a stable job. Even as an observer, I felt the pressures of everyday life.
Convinced in the power of love but ending a relationship because of harsh realities, Xu lamented that the disparities between dream and reality is too great, and that to earn a living and live in a big city like Xian is too difficult. Suddenly I remember the lyrics of a song by Chinese pop singer Zhao Chuan: “life with pressure or life with dignity, what’s more important?” Really, what is more important? I have been contemplating this question because I graduated and am now faced the same dilemma.
CHANGE is my debut film about the true meaning. Coincidentally, during the shooting of this film I was transitioning from a school to society. Shooting this film has changed me as well.
Gratitude to all my friends during the production because of your help, I am more passionate and dedicated about documentaries.
