China's Van Goghs

China's Van Goghs is an enthralling 2016 documentary that takes us on an emotional journey across continents, boundaries of art, and the human spirit's enduring resilience. Directed by Haibo Yu and Kiki Tianqi Yu, the movie primarily features Xiaoyong Zhao, Yongjiu Zhou, and Yue in the lead roles.

The film explores a simple yet compelling story hinging on Xiaoyong Zhao - an ordinary man with extraordinary dreams and unwavering tenacity. Xiaoyong, like many other craftsmen in Dafen Village, Shenzhen, China, spends his days painstaking reproduction of paintings of the old Masters, with a particular fondness for Van Gogh's iconic works, hence the movie's title. An estimated 75% of the world's replica oil paintings are born in this village dedicated to art, hewed by the hands of talented artists who rarely get personal recognition.

Through the lens of this movie, we circumnavigate the boundaries between originality and replicas, art and commerce, genius, and earnest hard work. However, it doesn't stop at the boundaries of artistry. China's Van Goghs delves deeper to bring a man's dream and a modest village's place in the vast landscape of globalized commerce into sharp focus.

Xiaoyong Zhao, a former peasant farmer turned masterful artisan, has worked tirelessly to replicate Van Gogh's masterpieces for over two decades. Claiming to have recreated "Starry Night" more than a thousand times, Xiaoyong practically imbues his everyday life with the essence of Vincent Van Gogh. While he painstakingly recreates Van Gogh's art, an innate desire gnaws at him to comprehend the essence of the Dutch post-impressionist master fully. To grasp the soul behind the strokes, Xiaoyong embarks on a passion-filled journey to Europe to trace the roots and path of his revered painter.

Gazing at Xiaoyong Zhao’s life and dreams, we reflect on the value we accord to replicated work and the individuals who pour their breath and soul into these reproductions. His quest reflects the common yearning of the many artists in Dafen - a hunger for recognition and a thirst to step out of the Western masters' shadows to establish their originality. But does the world of art have a place for them? This question stays with the viewer long after the film ends.

Through Yongjiu Zhou, another Dafen painter with dreams like Xiaoyong, we get a more panoramic view of the lives of these artisans, tightly bound between commercial success and personal artistic fulfillment. The documentary skillfully weaves the threads of globalization's influence on art, the replicas market, and a microcosmic examination of these artists' lives in Dafen.

Behind the canvas and oils, the film also touches subtly on China's socioeconomic fabric through Dafen village's transformation. Initially, a quaint hamlet turned into an art-reproduction capital accentuates China's burgeoning development and push towards becoming a global superpower. The film also brings forth the struggle and sacrifices made by these artists to lift themselves and their families out of poverty.

China's Van Goghs beautifully blurs the line between a visual art documentary and an introspective human story. The film is visually stunning, employing a rich, vibrant palette that impeccably mirrors the colors on a painter's palette. However, at its heart, it shines a light on a universal story of dreams, dedication, the relentless pursuit of passion, and the toll it takes on personal lives.

As Xiaoyong Zhao traces Van Gogh's footsteps across Europe, his journey resonates deeply with the audience. It's a poignant exploration of every artist's desire to be recognized and respected, the need to express their unique viewpoint and be appreciated.

The documentary makers skillfully have strived not only to make a respectful tribute to the craft of these replica artists but also an impassioned plea to consider the craftsmanship, dedication, and artistry that goes into their work. The film urges us to evaluate our understanding and preconceived notions of authentic art and sculptures, artists, and their creative aspirations.

To conclude, China's Van Goghs is a poignant and inspiring tale of Xiaoyong Zhao wrapped in upbeat exploration of one tiny village's transformation. The film paints the human condition's complexities while also compelling viewers to reconsider the value accorded to replicated art. In its intimate portrayal of a man's dream and a village's niche, it wonderfully manages to sketch a piece of the vast, vibrant canvas of the art world and humanity.