The Big Family

Only four times since 1775 have four generations of the Zhe family lived together under the same roof. Unity, the name that fruit grower Zhue Zhe gives to his newborn granddaughter at the end of the documentary, has a hopeful ring to it. Ever since brickyard owner Zhe traded his prosperous enterprise for a fruit plantation, the debts have been mounting and the family has been going downhill. Zhe, who runs the family like a veritable despot, demands inhuman efforts from his children and their spouses. He will not tolerate any dissent. The family members toil, but their labours remain unrewarded. Bitterness, suspicion and sorrow predominate, but the family has to stay together, whatever it takes. Just the same, marriages crumble, and ultimately Zhe has to bow his head for the first time in front of everyone. The directors stayed with the family for several months and meticulously filmed their daily life without interfering. The unparalleled family tragedy that unfolds with all candour before the camera touches on bigger themes like tradition versus modernism, women's rights and obedience versus freedom. The great-grandmother sings about the painful trials and tribulations in improvised sentimental songs, telling of the power and impotence in life again and again. (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam)