Watch Meishi Street

Meishi Street (Mei Shi Jie) from 2006 is a documentary film that explores the impact of rapid urbanization on the lives of ordinary citizens in China. The film, directed by Ou Ning, takes place in Meishi Street, a neighborhood in the city of Shenyang that is being demolished to make way for a new commercial district. Through interviews with residents, shopkeepers, and local officials, the film documents the social and economic changes that are taking place in Meishi Street. Many of the residents have lived in the neighborhood for generations and have strong emotional ties to their homes and the community. They express deep sadness and anger at the loss of their homes and businesses, and fear for their future as they face relocation to distant suburbs.

The film also highlights the struggles of small business owners who face the loss of their livelihoods as a result of the redevelopment project. These shopkeepers, many of whom are street vendors, have built up their businesses over years and are now being forced to close down without any compensation or support.

Meishi Street also touches on wider political and social issues in China, including government corruption and censorship. The film shows how local officials use their power to silence dissent and suppress opposition to the redevelopment project. Some residents who speak out about the injustices they face are threatened with violence or imprisonment.

Despite the bleak picture painted by the film, Meishi Street is also a testament to the resilience and solidarity of the local community. We see how residents organize and protest against the demolition of their homes, with many participating in theatre performances and public demonstrations in an effort to raise awareness and support for their cause.

Throughout the film, Ou Ning intersperses archival footage and historical context to provide a broader perspective on the challenges faced by residents of Meishi Street. We learn about the history of urbanization and land reform in China, which has created a situation where land is frequently expropriated from residents without their consent or adequate compensation.

In conclusion, Meishi Street is a powerful and poignant film that provides a rare glimpse into the impact of rapid urbanization on the lives of ordinary citizens in China. Through its compelling storytelling and vivid portraits of the people who live in Meishi Street, the film forces us to grapple with difficult questions about the price of progress and the ethics of development. Ultimately, this is a film that challenges us to consider our own responsibility as global citizens in the face of urbanization and social change.

Meishi Street is a 2008 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.9.