A man who lights up the sky

Against the dark canvas of the night, the unpredictable patterns, vibrant colors, and symphony of lights evoke feelings of joy and celebration. That somehow makes fireworks a symbol of romantic occasions and special moments.

However, in Liuyang, Hunan province, renowned as the country's primary hub for firework production and exports, the significance of their output extends beyond mere symbolism.

Zhong Liang, born in 1986 and a native of Liuyang, grew up surrounded by small workshops dedicated to the production of the pyrotechnics.

As the son of a skilled artisan, Zhong initially resisted following in the footsteps of his father and his fellow villagers.

Nevertheless, Zhong now leads a fireworks company dedicated to safety, environmental friendliness and a low-carbon footprint. He has also actively engaged in such major projects as the fireworks display for the Beijing Winter Olympics.

"In my 20s, I saw fireworks as romantic, bold and unrestrained, like a love poem to the sky," Zhong reflects.

"In my 30s, fireworks have become a livelihood — a business pursued with practicality by me and those around me.

"For me, fireworks serve as a temporal conduit filled with echoes from my childhood, the transition of my hometown, and the transformation of the industry."

A 10-minute documentary, titled A Poem in the Sky, recounts Zhong's story.

The documentary is an award-winning short film within the Image Possibilities Coproduction Plan, a project that fosters and sponsors both domestic and international filmmakers in creating documentary programs that shed light on contemporary China.

Launched in Aug 2022, the project resulted in the selection of 62 varied proposals. These proposals have recently been adapted into documentary films and subsequently distributed on platforms like the Discovery Channel and the online video-sharing platform Bilibili.

A screening ceremony took place in Beijing on Dec 15, in the presence of the young filmmakers and their protagonists, who came to share their stories.

"Each documentary proposal zooms in on small perspectives and stories, yet manages to illuminate grand epochs and overarching themes," says Chen Shi, deputy chief editor of China International Communications Group, which is among the project's organizers.

Zhu Jianing, the director of A Poem in the Sky, elaborates on his choice of Zhong as the documentary's protagonist.

Zhong entered the industry in 2012, and marked a decade in the field last year. His personal journey over the past decade offers viewers a glimpse into the industrial transformation and upgrading of China's fireworks production, Zhu says.

Zhong, who previously studied international trade in the United States, also brings practical experience and unique insights to the external trade of fireworks.

"In addition, he has actively participated in the production and display of fireworks for such events as celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and the Beijing Winter Olympics. His direct engagement in these significant events helps to expand the narrative scope of our documentary.

"We also found that Zhong's thoughts carry a poetic quality. For instance, he consistently emphasizes that 'everyone who sets off fireworks has someone they miss'. That prompted us to dig out more stories from him," Zhu adds.

The director admits that the filming experience shattered his stereotypical notions about the fireworks industry. The application of modern technologies such as chip technology and intelligent machinery in fireworks production helped him realize that it is no longer a labor-intensive traditional industry.

Utilizing drones, this documentary tracks the entire dynamic process of fireworks, from ascent to full bloom, offering the audience an up-close observation of the display.

"This provides a perspective entirely different from our usual view of fireworks from the ground, making them appear more impactful," he says.

"From the 'giant footprints' shaped fireworks at the opening ceremony of 2008 Beijing Olympic Games to the 'Five Rings' fireworks at the Beijing 2022, fireworks have become a means of showcasing China's national image," says Zhu.

However, he found that there is a limited visual documentation and storytelling about the fireworks industry itself.

"With Liuyang's domestic sales comprising half of the national total and its export value making up 60 percent, it stands as the world's largest production hub for firecrackers and fireworks. The historical ties between Liuyang and fireworks can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907). As a local documentary team in Hunan province, we want to uncover the stories rooted in this rich history," says Zhu.

"We also aim to showcase China's fireworks production while offering a gateway through which the world can understand the country's ever-evolving changes."

Among the showcased short films, Fifteen Years of Change in China: You Won't Believe What I've Seen documents the experiences of Stuart Wiggin, a British man who has lived in China since 2007.

The documentary captures his journey as he tries a variety of jobs across the country, including firefighting, wrestling, forestry, beach cleaning and cooking.

Additionally, he learns tie-dye techniques from the Bai ethnic group, crafts jingtailan (copper-padded thread-woven enamel) and practices Kunqu Opera. Armed with his camera, he documents these experiences, infusing the narrative with British humor to create an engaging documentary.

Undertaking various jobs has allowed him to realize that, in China, especially in rural areas, every industry is rapidly advancing, he says.

The documentary Bright Cinema explores how a specially designed cinema brings about changes and influences in the daily lives, family relationships and personal emotions of visually impaired people from different generations.

"Accessible films reflect the country's continuous efforts to improve the lives of people with disabilities. Such a cinema is built on a foundation of equality and is imbued with humanistic care, representing an elevation of China's social welfare in the new era. Therefore, I believe this subject holds great social value, which is one of the reasons we want to tell the story," notes Xing Chuan, director of the film.

Xing mentions that participating in the project provided him with the opportunity to collaborate with experienced filmmakers from the Discovery Channel.

"Through this collaboration, I experienced how to integrate a Chinese narrative into the context of international communication," he says.