11th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival –
Images of the 21st Century
13-22 March, 2009
THE CURTAIN RISES ON THE 11TH TDF
Tomorrow, Friday, March 13, at the Olympion at 20:30, the curtain will rise on the 11th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival - Images of the 21st Century with the screening of The Red Race by Chao Gan. Stavros Kalafatis, Minister of Macedonia – Thrace, will open the Festival, and numerous celebrities from the political, artistic and intellectual community of the city are expected to be present.
The film The Red Race deals with the daily lives of the children at the Shanghai Lu Wan athletics school. These children, 5-8 years old, never stop jumping, turning, doing handstands, accompanied only by a never ending criticism and pressure to succeed. They come from poor families and their impoverished parents are waiting for one thing from them: to become famous at some point for their gymnastic abilities. The children at the Shanghai Lu Wan athletics school are stronger and more mature than other children their age. They can withstand physical pain and internal isolation, living in a state of relentless demands and expectations. Their goal is to attain glory and happiness… How are the characters of a group of underage gymnasts built under the Chinese sports and educational system? How do they endure hard training and ferocious competition for the sake of an Olympic dream? A penetrating look at the harsh side of the athletic training of China’s future champions.
