Director‘s Statement:
After completing my previous documentary The Starving Village, I returned to my hometown to show my family the film. The film was unanimously and fiercely opposed by my family members, including my parents who were born in the 1950s, my elder brother born in the 1970s, and my younger brother born in the 1990s. They were worried that investigating the history of the famine fifty years ago was dangerous. They believe I should find a stable job instead of interviewing the elderlies and making documentaries. I was very much frustrated with my family’s strong disapprovals and started to waver over the path I had chosen. It was the first time I had confronted my parents and my family in the 25 years since I was born, and was also the beginning of my rebellion. Fortunately, I had a strong supporter standing with me—my 9-year old niece. She became my little angel. There were also the old folks I had interviewed. They unswervingly backed me. Some of them were worried “exposing the history of the famine” would defame China if shown to foreign audiences. But still, an old man named Xiling spoke out and persuaded them to support me.