One-Hour HD Documentary (2021)

A rare travel documentary shot in China during the Covid-19 pandemic. 2020 was an exceptional year as the world experienced a global health crisis. In the midst of quarantines and countries shutting down their borders two American women found their way back home to China.  Alden McDonald, an actress and Gina Falzon, a photographer, consider Shanghai their home.  The two friends traveled to Yinchuan during the pandemic with certain restrictions that gave them the freedom to move safely through the city.

Yinchuan, the capital of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, has remarkable historical sites from Helan Mountain to the Baisikou Twin Pagoda and the Great Wall Ruins.  However, within the city is a modern-day facility fast outpacing Hollywood studios. Zhenbeibu Western Film Studio is a converted castle from the Qing and Ming dynasties that has produced over 200 films.  Walk through the studio with the pair as they discuss how it differs from American movie sets.

Then visit a family from Minning Town, a development 20 plus years in the making and home to immigrants in the region.  Minning Town is China’s example of how the country developed a town in the Gobi Desert into a model for “poverty-alleviation.”

As foodies, their gastronomic adventure went from hand rolled noodle soup, to traditional handheld mutton to wine tasting at the Lansai Winery.  Perhaps compared with Napa Valley, wine making in this region of China is fast becoming a world competitor in the industry.

Another import into the country is graffiti art. Meet Ma Xiao a well-known artist in Yinchuan as he paints a picture of modern-day Chinese artwork.

For many, the global health crisis was a shock to global economies as people were restricted from travel and the norms of the past.  For Alden and Gina turning tragedy into an opportunity fueled their exploration of one of China’s unique and enterprising cities.

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DVDs are currently not available.