Ghost Town, Zhao Dayong’s 2008 documentary about the residents of the Southwest Chinese town Zhiziluo, makes its International Premiere this Sunday at the New York Film Festival. Film critics who attended the press screening have already given the film high marks. Here are some highlights:
“Directed with scrupulous attention to detail by Zhao Dayong.” – Manohla Dargis, The New York Times, “The Serious Regard for Cinema”
“One of the fest’s prime discoveries” – Keith Uhlich, Time Out New York, “NYFF Top Picks”
“Give Ghost Town 15 minutes, and you won’t be able to shut it off… as compelling as any in the festival.” – J. Hoberman, Village Voice, “Five Must-See Films From the NYFF”
“A heavyweight… It sure disproves one villager’s quip, cheekily placed near the beginning of the doc: ‘Go ahead and film, but there’s nothing worth filming here!'” – Nicolas Rapold, Village Voice, “NYFF: This Year’s Documentaries”
“3 out of 4 stars! Dayong’s direction exudes compassionate intimacy with regard to both individuals and spaces.” – Nick Schager, Slant Magazine, “Review: Ghost Town”
“One of the most heartbreaking films to yet emerge from China’s prolific documentary movement.” – Andrew Chan, Reverse Shot, “Ghost Town”
“So rich in detail and incident that when it ended… I felt as if I’d just returned from a week-long visit. Ghost Town casts a powerful spell.” – Nelson Kim, Hammer to Nail, “Must-Sees at the 47th NYFF“
“Hypnotic” – Vadim Rizov, GreenCine Daily, “NYFF ’09“