Documenting the Global City 2014: Leftover Park 相亲公园

Film by Li Hongpei 李红霈 and Craig David Smith

Hoping to find a partner for their sons or daughters, parents gather each week in a Beijing park. Some put out placards to introduce their children and others roam about with pictures to share. In a few cases, men and women go themselves to the park. In this film we meet several of those looking to foster or to make a match.

It was produced as part of a unique collaboration between USC’s School for Cinematic Arts and the Communication University of China’s School of Theater, Film and Television. The program began in 2006 and alternates between Los Angeles and Beijing. Students pair up with a partner from the other school and have just a few weeks to produce their short documentaries. Click here for more information and to see the complete list of films produced in summer 2014.

This video is also available on the USCI YouTube Channel.

Other films from the program: 

Once Upon a Time in the East  鼓楼牛仔
Zhang Chenzi  张晨子 and Andrew Vasquez

Dama Dance 广场舞
Yang Yinglong  扬盈龙 and Anna Romano

To the Quarry and Back  芸芸狗生
Lu Xi  卢西 and Eddie Mattola

Tiny Wings  微小应翅膀
Chen Xuanying 陈渲颖  and Rachel Victoria Byrd

The Boundary  边界
Zhang Ye 张烨  and Ge Yufan  葛雨凡