On June 30th Icarus Films will release Hu Jie's documentary “Spark” along with Rita Andreetti's insightful “The Observer“, a look at the life and work of Hu Jie, one of China's bravest and most creative artists and activists. Both films will be released on DVD as well as on Video-on-Demand.
“Spark“, one of Hu Jie's most powerful films, looks back on the legacy of a small, but influential magazine from Gansu Province that dared to tell the truth about the Great Leap Forward. Spark's young contributors bravely shone a light on the horrific realities of life covered up by the Communist Party. Through interviews with surviving contributors (two were executed), Hu Jie weaves together a striking and emotional oral history of the publication and its times.
Featuring lush photography and revealing interviews, “The Observer” is Rita Andreetti's sensitive portrayal of Hu Jie that explores his life and career. It's a profile in tenacity and courage, revealing the toll his work has taken on his personal life-risking all in a fight for the truth.
On “The Observer”
“Revealing. A thoughtful, creative artist defined by honesty and candor; [his] voice should be given a wider audience.”
—Rouven Linnarz, Asian Movie Pulse
On “Spark”
“Hu Jie's body of work puts a human face on some of the worst horrors of the Communist Party's recent history.”
— Public Radio International
