Of Shadows and Men

“Of Shadows and men” is a fascinating look at the dying art of chinese shadow play. It is both the touching portrait of Master Qin Ligang, his theater and his audience and a rare chance to catch a glimpse of a world about to crumble. 364 days of the year, elder citizens gather at a small tea house to watch a performer who, to them, is unquestionably the best in the world at this ancient brand of puppetry. His command of the intricately-designed characters and animals, the unspoken communication between he and the supporting musician and the simple beauty of his act is mesmerizing. This film is not about the dangerous chinese dragon you keep seeing in the newspaper but about a human-sized China, where artists struggle against the unstoppable evolution of society. Be a witness and enjoy their company, because it may not be there in ten year’s time…



Aurélien Foucault, Cédric Quennesson

Aurélien Foucault is a photographer and a filmmaker. Born in 1979, he has left France at an early age to discover other ways of living and thinking. Along the years, he has been living in Sweden, Italy, Scotland, Russia and China. His work in the fields of photography has been exhibited in France and China. He is currently working on an ethnographic documentary film in Siberia.

Cédric Quennesson was born in 1979, he is a singer, musician and filmaker. He played in various bands in France and in China and directed a few videos for french corporations in China, where he spent 4 years teaching French. He is currently working as a french teacher and a translator.