The Last Days of Beijing’s Hutongs is an hour-long documentary that explores the effect of modernization of China, specifically the direct consequence on the life and culture of Beijing’s hutongs.  Beijing’s hutongs, some dating back to the Yuan Dynasty (1206-1341) are a sprawl of narrow alleys and courtyards, of small shops and restaurants, of homes and families. The hutongs are regarded as one of Beijing’s defining, essential characteristics, the heart and soul of the city for centuries. The destruction of hutongs has been taking place for several years, but since Beijing was awarded the Olympics, the rate at which they are now being cleared has increased exponentially.  According to UNESCO, in the past three years a third of the 62km squared area that makes up the central part of the old city has now been destroyed. This has displaced close to 580,000 people. This documentary program will explore the stories of several hutong families to reflect on the significant, yet under-investigated, experience of life in modern China.  By weaving in verite footage of hutong families, urban planners, and city officials The Last Days of Beijing’s Hutongs explores the complexities of modernization and development in urban environments, and the effect it has on individual lives.

Rapid economic boom has gained China much attention from the world, as it is experiencing a complex restructuring of its major metropolis areas. However, under the façade of progress, the majority of Beijing’s hutong residents have yet to experience the prosperity- rather, they face more economic struggles than ever before. These issues are not only occurring in China, but all across the world modernization is destroying ancient ways of life and unjustly displacing families. Although the loss of this ancient architecture is significant, it is also important to note the loss of a social network of neighbors and friends, of spirit and culture that  have defined the way of life in the hutongs for generations.  This collective way of living is jeopardized by the sterile environments of the high-rises, as they are rapidly replacing the space where hutongs once stood. Today they are at the heart of an increasingly controversy between progress and modernization in China: What balance should be struck between preserving Beijing’s culturally and historically significant sites, and building a developed, global city in time for the 2008 Olympic Games?