THE WORLD aka SHIJIE

Year: 2004
USA: Zeitgeist Films
Cast: Zhao Tao, Chen Taishen, Jing Jue, JianG Zhongwei, Huang Yiqun, Wang Hongwei, Liang Jingdong, Ji Shuai, Xiang Wan, Alla Chtcherbakova
Director: Jia Zhangke
Country: China
Language: Mandarin / Shanxi (English subtitles)
USA: 139 mins
USA Release Date: 1 July 2005 (Limited Release - New York)
US Distributor

Synopsis

Acclaimed Chinese director Jia Zhangke (PLATFORM, UNKNOWN PLEASURES) casts a compassionate eye on the daily loves, friendships and desperate dreams of the twenty-somethings from China's remote Provinces who come to live and work at Beijing's World Park. A bizarre cross-cultural pollination of Las Vegas and Epcot Center, World Park features lavish shows performed amid scaled-down replicas of the Taj Mahal, the Eiffel Tower, St. Mark's Square, the Pyramids and even the Twin Towers.

World Park, which is located in the Fengtai district of Beijing some 16 kilometres from the city, features 106 of the most famous sites from 14 countries and regions the world over. The park, encompassing 46.7 hectares (115.4 acres), consists of two parts: the scenic area in miniature displayed according to the position of its country on the map, and a shopping, dining and entertainment area. The entertainment area is situated in an international folkloric village characterized by buildings in the American and European styles.