Looking for Crafts(手艺)is a documentary(纪录片) about the story of 199 Chinese craftsmen. We can watch it online. Although it doesn't show beautiful pictures or exciting scenes, it quietly tells the story of traditional Chinese crafts and their special skills. After watching the film, you may be deeply touched by the warmth and faith(信念)of the traditional culture.
Zhang Jin, the director of the documentary is from the countryside of Hunan. After living in a modern and busy city for many years, he came to miss the traditional crafts of his hometown, so he made a decision to record them. He sold his apartment and invited two friends to join him and travelled all over China. The film was made without professional filming machines or much money. Yet its accented narration(带有口音的旁白)made people feel at home.
In the film you can see an 80-year-old man who makes paper umbrellas with bamboo for the Dai people. Making umbrellas is laborious. It includes six steps, and he often needs to sit for days to make one umbrella. But he has continued with his hobby for 60 years. After watching the film, many people wanted to buy such an umbrella, but the old man was dead.
It's easy to notice that the hands of these craftsmen are full of winkles(皱纹)—these craftsmen are using their lives to protect our culture heritage(遗产). From making a piece of clay to creating a musical instrument, these crafts are hard work.
True artists give up their own comfortable lives to produce what's in their heart, which is believed to be the real meaning and the purpose of making this documentary. The film reminds people of the importance of the crafts. And it has also caught a lot of attention.
I hope these ancient and wonderful skills will be alive forever.
