Ximei
| Ximei | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Andy Cohen, Gaylen Ross |
| Written by | Andy Cohen |
| Produced by | Chin-chin Yap, Ai Weiwei |
| Starring | Liu Ximei |
| Edited by | Ying Lu |
Production company | AC Films |
Release date |
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| Languages | English, Mandarin |
Ximei is a 2019 American documentary directed by Andy Cohen, co-directed by Gaylen Ross and produced by Ai Weiwei. In a gritty, vérité style, the film follows the harrowing crusades of a peasant woman named Liu Ximei. She fights for the survival of fellow AIDS victims who contracted AIDS in the 1990s when Chinese health officials encouraged millions of poor farmers to sell their blood for a pittance under catastrophic health conditions.
Production of Ximei lasted seven years, due to interference from Chinese officials; Cohen's phone and internet messages were spied on, parts of the footage regularly confiscated, and he and Ross were expelled from the AIDS villages on various occasions. Subjects of the film were often detained by the authorities and forced to sign statements and the film's Chinese cameraman was arrested and later released for his activism.[1][2][3][4]
Reception
The LA Times’ Kimber Myers observed, "No wonder China was so concerned about the production of Ximei…But this isn’t simply a damning indictment of the nation; it is a hopeful celebration of one woman’s activism and kindness in the face of her own struggle with AIDS."[5]
In the opinion of Ben Kenigsberg of the NY Times, "It does pay its subjects the ultimate courtesy, treating them as officials have not: as fully rounded human beings."[6]
Joe Bendel wrote, "Cohen & Ross’s Ximei (executive produced by Ai Weiwei) is very highly recommended as a profile in courage and an indictment of the CCP’s callous contempt for human life."[7]
In Spiritual Practice Micah Bucey states, "Ximei, directed with a combination of in-the-moment grit and great sensitivity by Andrew Cohen and Gaylen Ross, follows this no-nonsense justice warrior through her often mundane days."[8]
Awards
- Close Up Edinburgh Docufest – Best social impact Doc[9]
- Movies that Matters – Golden Butterfly Award[10]
- The Telly Awards – Silver Telly Award[11]
- Golden Gate International Film Festival – Film of the Festival [12]
- Golden Gate International Film Festival – Best Cinematography [13][14]
References
- ^ Sotomayor, Gabriela (April 28, 2019). "Ximei, la activista que desafía al gigante". www.proceso.com.mx (in Spanish). Retrieved June 12, 2021.
- ^ ffos20 | "Ximei" | Interview: Andy Cohen. Unabhängiges FilmFest Osnabrück. October 21, 2020 – via Youtube.
- ^ Tödliche Spende [Deadly donation] (in German). vox.de. October 9, 2020. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
- ^ Cohen, Andy (September 2, 2019). "China and the Golden Veins of Henan: A film-maker's view". Global Geneva. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
- ^ Myers, Kimber (October 25, 2019). "Review: 'Ximei' chronicles a Chinese woman's fight for AIDS victims". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
- ^ Kenigsberg, Ben (November 28, 2019). "'Ximei' Review: An AIDS Activist Fights Medical Injustice in China". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
- ^ J.B. "Stay Home: Ai Weiwei Document's Ximei's Life & Activism". Retrieved June 11, 2021.
- ^ Bucey, Micah. "Ximei | Film Review". Spirituality & Practice. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
- ^ "2019". Close:Up Edinburgh. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
- ^ "Movies that Matter | We open eyes to human rights". Movies that Matter. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
- ^ "2020 Winners". Telly Awards. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
- ^ https://goldengateinternationalfilmfestival.com/site/festival/
- ^ https://goldengateinternationalfilmfestival.com/site/festival/
- ^ "Ximei review – inspiring Ai Weiwei-produced portrait of Chinese Aids activist". The Guardian. Retrieved November 30, 2022.