Synopsis
Like Gold, Like Grey is a 20-minute observational film, focuses on the manufacture of saxophones in a small village in the northern part of China. The village is named ‘Saxophone Capital’, where produces over 10,000 saxophones per month at more than 70 factories. Although more than 3,500 people are working for the production of saxophones, however, less than 10 people know how to play this instrument. The head of these factories hired saxophone teacher from town, to teach them how to play the saxophone for free, which already lasts ten years. The most popular saxophone song in here is Going Home (Kenny G, 1989). This song is also known as one of the famous western songs in China for over 30 years.
Wei Zi
Wei Zi, filmmaker, photographer. She just obtained a master degree in Ethnographic and Documentary Film from the University College London. She currently works and lives in China. She enjoys observing, exploring and recording and reviving the things that happen around the world.
Director's statement
Unlike the urban situation, music initially fostered to meet the demand of economic development in the rural area. After decades, it eventually resonated with people through its core of art in the rural. The semi-manufactured parts of saxophones are stacked undignified in plastic baskets, like squashed sprouts.
Unlike the urban situation, music initially fostered to meet the demand of economic development in the rural area. After decades, it eventually resonated with people through its core of art in the rural. The semi-manufactured parts of saxophones are stacked undignified in plastic baskets, like squashed sprouts. The brass appearance is smelled like a coin. Not until the production tail, the pieces of saxophones are gradually assembled into fine art. Most of the saxophone producers have no knowledge about how to play saxophone, not even know which country their works will be exported to. Sometimes when they accidentally see saxophones on TV, they will show some curiosities about the type of it and wonder if the saxophones were made by themselves. To them, Saxophone is no longer a pile of metal which smelled like the coin but became the theme of villagers’ life. Facing the main trend of urbanization in China, the village rejected to conform but choose to take a root in modern society with its unique sound. Everything is improvisational here; they are mixed with underlying temperament and maverick expression. The dim workshop, dirty parts, polished metal; Unpretentious workers, unprofessional musicians, untuned melodies, and the unexpected sound of Kenny G… such a romantic picture with the burnt smell.
