The tortures of childhood
Chao Gan’s film, “The Red Race,” was shown under the supervision of Shopsteward Enrique Arroyo Schroeder. According to the filmmakers, the gymnastics school for children, the subject of the documentary, is a metaphor for all of Chinese society.
“We wanted to show how difficult life in China is for those who want to achieve something.” said Barbara Biemann, the program’s presenter, right after the screening.
The Shopsteward leading the discussion mentioned that when he watched the film with another group, he heard an opinion that the training shown in the document is torture. The children train incessantly, until noon pressured by their trainers, and afternoon pressured by their parents. There is no room in their small worlds for failure. Taking second place is failure and the awareness that someone else was better. Every bad move, posture, cry caused by pain or weakly performed acrobatic maneuver meets with harsh critique, screaming, and tussling.
“Studying at this school is not torture, but a distinction and honor.” explained Barbara Biemann. “The trainers had many possibilities to cut the scenes they considered too intimate. None of them did that. They were proud of their teaching practices.” emphasizes Biemann.
As it turned out, this method is used not only in China. One of the viewers pointed to the example of French female swimmers and ballet school.
The film, “The Red Race,” has been shown at many international festivals, winning many awards as well as critical recognition. “On Monday we’re to be given an award in New York.” bragged Barbara Biemann, adding with sadness that the Chinese government has not allowed Gan to go to the USA, so he won’t be able to receive it.
Dalia Danisz
