Building 173. Remnants of a Vanishing Shanghai

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Description

An old building is a volume of human history - with every story containing countless stories. Building 173, a high-rise in downtown Shanghai, has witnessed tumultuous changes over three-quarters of a century. This film weaves together the intimate tales of many of the tower's residents, casting light on China's political and historical events from angles that are by turns poignant, amusing, and chilling. Characters include a British-American author, a Chinese business tycoon, a gangster, a Western-educated diplomat, an opera star, a member of the Red Guard, and the building's elevator operator. Although beautifully shot in live action, the film also includes low-key and strangely lyrical animation to reconstruct events.