Self Portrait: Birth in 47 KM (2016)

Self Portrait: Birth in 47 KM (2016) poster

Between 1959 and 1961, more than 35 million people starved to death because of Mao’s Great Leap Forward policies. To avoid censorship in China, this painful period is now euphemistically referred to as the “Three Years of Natural Disasters.” This courageous oral history, directed by Zhang Mengqi, tells the story from the point of view of her grandfather’s village, to which she returns every winter to interview survivors. Central is moving voice-overs from a grandmother who details harrowing pregnancies and lonely births during the Great Famine and her granddaughter, a migrant worker. In this agricultural village, the landscape is stark yet beautiful with plenty of room for contemplation. When a hand appears in front of the camera, Zhang transitions into a delightfully playful territory, incorporating a uniquely participatory experience that extends beyond the screen.

Director: Zhang Mengqi
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 101 min
Release Date:
Production: Caochangdi Workstation
Country: China
Language: 普通话
Original Language: zh
More Films by Director: Zhang Mengqi
More Films in Genre: Documentary

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Self Portrait: Birth in 47 KM about?
Between 1959 and 1961, more than 35 million people starved to death because of Mao’s Great Leap Forward policies. To avoid censorship in China, this painful period is now euphemistically referred to as the “Three Years of Natural Disasters.” This courageous oral history, directed by Zhang Mengqi, tells the story from the point of view of her grandfather’s village, to which she returns every winter to interview survivors. Central is moving voice-overs from a grandmother who details harrowing pregnancies and lonely births during the Great Famine and her granddaughter, a migrant worker. In this agricultural village, the landscape is stark yet beautiful with plenty of room for contemplation. When a hand appears in front of the camera, Zhang transitions into a delightfully playful territory, incorporating a uniquely participatory experience that extends beyond the screen.
Who directed Self Portrait: Birth in 47 KM?
Self Portrait: Birth in 47 KM was directed by Zhang Mengqi.
How long is Self Portrait: Birth in 47 KM?
Self Portrait: Birth in 47 KM has a runtime of 1h 41m (101 minutes).
What genre is Self Portrait: Birth in 47 KM?
Self Portrait: Birth in 47 KM is a Documentary film.
Where was Self Portrait: Birth in 47 KM produced?
Self Portrait: Birth in 47 KM was produced in China.