A documentary collection by Karim Miské, Ilana Navaro and Pierre Singaravélou

Résume

EPISODE 1 : THE FALL (1839 – 1937)

The first episode begins in the mid-nineteenth century. Fascinated by its own greatness, the reigning Qing dynasty did not pay attention to the growing power of the Europeans. Attacked from all sides, China finally understands that it must reinvent itself or perish. Our heroes – rebel leaders, mandarins, women of power – face off in the name of ideals. They will have to choose between liberal democracy, Confucian fascism, the still thwarted emancipation of women and Soviet communism. In the chaos that inhabits the country after the fall of the Qing Empire, two men, the heirs of the father of the nation Sun Yat Sen, will confront each other. The confrontation will determine the future of an entire country.

EPISODE 2 : THE REBOUND (1937 – 2022)

Mao Zedong’s communists and Chiang Kai-shek’s nationalists were forced to join forces during the Second World War. But as soon as the conflict ended, China once again faced a fight to the death. With the victory of Mao’s communists, the country projects itself into the future. For the first time, with the Cultural Revolution, China becomes a model. Successively through its ideology, which seduces the West in the sixties, or its smashing entry into the WTO, China finds its place at the heart of globalization. Our characters, Maoists from Africa, America or Europe, politicians and statesmen or businessmen, propose multiple paths that end up building a new China, inventing a new path between market capitalism and Chinese-style socialism.

Cast & credits

Written by Karim Miské, Ilana Navaro et Pierre Singaravélou
Produced by Fabrice Coat & Constance Ortuzar
Edited by Christine Marier & Isabelle Martin
Animation Carambolage
Music by Mathias Duplessy

Partners

A Program33 production, coproduced with AT-PROD/RTBF (télévision belge) & RTS
With the participation of Histoire TV
With the support of Région Île-de-France, CNC, PROCIRP-ANGOA
International distribution: ARTE SALES