Characters (2021)

Hú Zhǎng Zū writes ancient Chinese poems with water on the ground in Fuxing Park, Shanghai. After a few minutes the characters dry out and disappear. Almost everyday she comes here and practices her handwriting with her friends and colleagues. Together they have lively discussions about the strokes and shapes—amongst each other and with the many spectators. Hú Zhǎng Zū is the only woman within the turmoil of men, and due to her high writing art she is respected and highly admired. I come back to see her often, in order to learn from her and capture these ephemeral moments.

If you liked Characters, you might also like…

92% match

McQueen

2018

86% match

Ex Libris: The New York Public Library

2017

86% match

To Kill a Tiger

2023

79% match

Dawg Fight

2015

78% match

Come See Me in the Good Light

2025

71% match

Naqoyqatsi

2002

71% match

Don't F*#% With John Wick

2015

67% match

Directed by John Ford

1971

62% match

Capital in the Twenty-First Century

2019

60% match

Extremis

2016

60% match

The Class of ‘92

2013

60% match

A Love Song for Latasha

2019

60% match

A Toxic Love Story

2026

60% match

Burma VJ: Reporting from a Closed Country

2008

60% match

Anna Nicole Smith: You Don't Know Me

2023

60% match

Lionel Messi: Destiny

2023

60% match

The Curious Birth of Benjamin Button

2009

60% match

My Mom Jayne

2025

60% match

Avatar: The Deep Dive - A Special Edition of 20/20

2022

60% match

Sherman's March

1986