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Showing Films, Projecting Happiness  |
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Since reforms were carried out, local governments have made great efforts to improve the living conditions and education level of people in rural areas. The town of Jiangjin, in southwest China's Chongqing city, has found a good way to not only bring students and farmers in remote areas more knowledge, but also provide them with entertainment at the same time.
Cheng Liechao and his wife have been going back and forth over the rugged mountain paths for over four years. They are film projectionists of Jiangjin City. They carry out the task of showing films to middle and primary schools in the southern mountainous area. Jiangjin is a city mainly consisting of mountainous areas, where transportation is difficult, as there are few highways. Each time they go to show films to the students, the Chengs have to carry the projector and other equipment on their backs, and go to the schools on foot, via the rugged path. Today, they are to show films for the pupils of Pingtan village. Though the village has only a very small school with just 15 pupils, they see at least eight films every year screened by the couple. When they are still a long way from the school, the pupils rush out to greet the projectionists.
Cheng Liechao says that the children are the future of the country. They are eager to acquire as much knowledge as they can. Films can teach them about things that they don't ordinarily have access to, adding to what they learn in the classroom.
There are 68 film projection teams like the Chengs in Jiangjin City. Their main income is from the shows held for the students. Since 1996, the leaders of Jiangjin City have regarded film shows as a necessary extension of classroom education. They want all middle and primary school students to receive a comprehensive education by watching good and instructive films. The projection teams sign a contract with film companies to ensure that students can see at least 8 films every year. The companies rent films to the teams at a very low price. When they have finished showing the films to the students, the projection teams can show them to local farmers, and keep the money they earn themselves. Because they enjoy a favorable policy with the city government, at least four film shows a year are brought to the farmers free of charge.
For several years, the projection teams have been bringing films to the local people. From towns to villages, from classrooms to fields, every place has heard their footsteps. With the advancement of film projection, some traditional ways are gradually changing. Elderly men celebrate birthdays by showing a film, farmers in Jiangjin are all willing to put on a film show to celebrate a wedding, the construction of a new building and other important events.
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