Jiabiangou (Film)

Jiabiangou (released internationally as The Ditch) is a dramatic feature film written and directed by Chinese filmmaker Bing Wang. Co-produced internationally across China, France, Hong Kong, and Belgium, the Mandarin-language film has a runtime of 108 minutes.

A promotional or archival still representing the film Jiabiangou — Jiabiangou (The Ditch)

Plot

Set during the 1950s, the narrative focuses on individuals designated as dissidents by the Chinese government who were sent to forced labor camps situated in the Gobi Desert. Prisoners lived and perished in subterranean ditches utilized as dormitories amid severe environmental conditions.

Cast

The film features an ensemble cast including Ye Lu as Xiao Li, Renjun Lian, Cenzi Xu as Gu, Haoyu Yang as Lao Dong, Zhengwu Cheng, Niansong Jian, and Xiangnian Li.

Festival Screenings

The film debuted globally in September 2010 at the 67th Venice Film Festival in the Venezia 67 competition. It subsequently screened at several international events, including the Toronto International Film Festival, the Pusan International Film Festival, the Stockholm International Film Festival, TOKYO FILMeX, and the Hong Kong International Film Festival.