TRAN Phuong Thao, Swann DUBUS
World Premiere
Hanoi, Vietnam. Pomelo neighborhood must be razed to the ground to build a new ring road. Several groups of migrant workers comin from rural provinces are struggling to make a living from the demolition or despite of it.
Pomelo is falling apart. The laborers living in Pomelo cannot do anything in the face of cranes that demolish their homes. Actually, in order to get steel that they can exchange for money, they must tear down the houses. Pomelo reveals the bare faces of the residents whose survival is threatened. The movements of the women rushing to get steel from the rubble appear desperate rather than greedy. The situation is no different for the apprentices at the beauty salon that is soon to be demolished. They must find a new place to stay. However, the demolition workers doggedly chase away the steel-picking women and the beauty salon apprentices continue to practice hair cuts. Their labor appears to be an act of desperation that goes beyond financial returns. They cannot let go of their work, not because they have a strong will not to give up but because they are doing the only thing they can do for the next few minutes or hours while they are still in Pomelo. They work to prevent a breakdown. That is all that they can do before they must bid farewell to Pomelo soon. [KWON Semi]
TRAN Phuong Thao
Find Phong (2015)With or Without Me (2011)Worker's Dream (2007)
Swann DUBUS
Find Phong (2015)With or Without Me (2011)L. Ville (2007)A Letter for L (2003)1970-1989 (2000)