Beijing Spring (2021) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language

2021 · 100 min · Chinese

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Directed by

Andy Cohen, Gaylen Ross

Budget

$500K

In 1978, Beijing’s Democracy Wall became a focal point for artistic expression and dissent against government censorship. A collective of artists, including the young Ai Weiwei, used the wall to create works that celebrated individuality and freedom of expression, directly challenging state propaganda. This period of burgeoning hope and creative defiance was abruptly halted when authorities responded with repression, arresting many and suppressing the movement. Chi Xiaoning’s hidden footage documents this fleeting moment of revolution, offering a powerful glimpse into a brief period of change.