- Could you tell us about the background of the film project ? How did it start ?
The work is based on 5 years of field research in one of the Pearl River Delta factories. The main focus for us was to understand why the "Made in China" structure is so negative from a western point of view, and what we can do to look at it from another, mainly positive, perspective.
The factory in the film is a dying factory of around 10.000 workers. The size and the complexity of it encouraged us to look at it like a city (we are architects and urbanists).
Before transformation into video format, the work took various artistic shapes. For example, an installation was presented in 2003 at the first architecture Biennale in Rotterdam at the NAI. (We won the award for ‘Best Inspiration’). Another version of this work was presented in San Francisco and Istanbul (Istanbul Biennale 2007). Besides the video, various other explorations have been developed: Large plates photos, drawings, animations, 3D objects, installations...
- Why was it important for you to make this film ?
To find an alternative to the current capitalist system and to change our negative approach to production in China.
- Tell us more about the activities of MAP office.
MAP Office is a research platform ... It’s best to see our website - www.map-office.com
- In what way do other filmmakers inspire you?
Inspiration definitely comes from Chris Marker and Joris Ivens. Also Histoire(s) du cinema by J.L. Godard for its narrative structure.
The rejection will be the film by Edward Burtynsky titled Fabricated Landscape.
- Is it important for you to have your film screened in a competition programme, at a 'regular' filmfestival, in addition to your presence in the 'art world' ?
We have been involved in the architecture and the art circle for quite a while now. Since the last eight years we have been invited four times to the Venice Biennale ( twice in Art, twice in Architecture). We hope to be in the next Venice film festival... This is a joke, but we like to be in front of new situations and to be challenged by them.
- Could you please tell us something about your future projects ?
We are now working in New Orleans with a travelling exhibition for 2009 in collaboration with the Chinese artist Cao Fei. It started in New Orleans with Prospect.1 last October and will continue soon for two weeks in France. Books are in preparation for 2009, especially around the concept of Positive Capitalism. And maybe a new video work on factories showing the relationship between the production of shoes and facades components for architecture.