
The Muslim Emigrates Called Return
XUN Yuan • 2013
This is an ethnographic film reflecting the world's largest environmental migration project. In the remote expanse of northwestern China, a poignant saga unfolds as over a million Chinese Muslims, known as the Hui, grapple with the unforgiving twin challenges of drought and poverty. Here, the Chinese government has embarked on a monumental endeavor - eco-migration. The story, a microcosm of the broader Chinese Muslim migration history, unfolds against a backdrop of complexity.
AWARDS & FESTIVALS
2013 "Banxia Memorial" Beijing International Student Film Festival, China2013 China Documentary Academy Awards, China2013 Beijing University Student Film Festival, China
CAST & CREW
DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT

XUN Yuan
Director
As a result of my volunteer teaching experience, I came into contact with the Hui Muslim group in the mountainous area of Ningxia. They have been living in the water-scarce and arid area recognized by the United Nations as the most unsuitable for human habitation for generations. The only way out there is to carry out ecological migration and move to the intensive development of the area at the township level. What kind of problems arise when macro policies are implemented at the grassroots level are often ignored. I reflected the situation of people in displacement through a more decentralized and comprehensive perspective through the way of ethnographic documentary. The film can also be seen as a microcosm of poverty alleviation relocation projects in many ethnic minority areas in China.