On the Rim of the Sky

High in the mountains in the Chinese province of Sichuan lies a slumbering village lost in the clouds. For three decades, local teacher Shen has taught the kids here in poor conditions. When the area is struck by an earthquake, the school finds itself the subject of media coverage, and soon becomes the "victim" of charity. Bao, a young university graduate and volunteer, settles here for a year, receives a grant, introduces electricity and implements a number of changes. After some time, he begins to suspect the older teacher Shen of embezzlement. The director is in constant contact with the two protagonists, but does not give either of them the benefit of the doubt, and only watches them closely with the camera, taking on the former idyll as her own, along with the isolation and poverty. Good intentions have uncertain outcomes, but progress cannot be stopped. (One World)