May the Soil Be Everywhere

In her directorial debut, Yehui Zhao takes a personal journey of discovery by documenting her grandmother's life and delving into her family's ancestral village nestled amidst the Loess Plateau mountains. The filmmaker sets out on an adventure to unravel the story of her great-grandfather while shedding light on the agricultural prowess and cave dwellings that were once home to generations before her.Throughout the documentary, Zhao celebrates her family's cultural heritage by illustrating their profound bond with the land. The film delves into the backbreaking labor and unwavering resilience of her ancestors who lived in harmony with nature despite adversities like war, famine, and rapid urbanization that shaped China's history."May the Soil Be Everywhere" is a unique blend of performance, poetry, and animation, creating an immersive experience as it brings the past to life. Zhao weaves together elements of community theater and oral history to craft a living archive that not only reflects her own family's narrative but also mirrors the experiences of many rural Chinese families during the tumultuous 20th century.