P. Sniadecki, who lived in China for a long time and travelled all over the country by train, condensed the results of these ethnographic excursions into a multifarious and colorful film. The entire cosmos of this part of the world can be found in the troubles, stories, hopes, and expectations of people from all walks of life moving amidst heavy luggage, small children, strict railway conductors and chickens flying around. Outside is the vast, expansive foreign country. (Viennale)
“Sniadecki offers a formally controlled look at the range of classes, the implied changes wrought by China’s economic boom, and the interactions particular to train travel. Refreshingly, Sniadecki allows the film — or rather, some passengers — to engage in politics, from the rights of minorities to economic pressures. While cerebral in intent and planning, the pic doesn’t feel overly straitjacketed by theory and offers unexpected moments of amusement.” (Jay Weissberg, Variety)
“The train’s roar is a constant, interrupted by some amazing monologues and conversations: a young woman, work weary, musing about how nice it would be to do nothing than eat and sleep all day; a conversation about the particulars of Muslim life in the outer provinces, and a young boy’s dazzlingly nihilistic parody of a train conductor’s setting-off speech.” (filmmakermagazine.com)
