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Welcome to Babel

Discover the ambitious vision of Chinese-Australian artist Jiawei Shen as he sets out to create a stunning masterpiece capturing the turbulent history of his native land.

Renowned artist Jiawei Shen is known for his obsessive determination, but his latest project, 'Tower of Babel,' is pushing even his limits. Working on an epic mural spanning 4 panels, 130 square meters, and 3 stories high, Jiawei aims to capture the turbulent history of Communism, a project that his wife, fellow artist Lan Wang, finds to be a bit crazy. Despite the challenges, Jiawei is committed to creating a masterpiece that he believes will give meaning to his entire life. As Jiawei meticulously paints his latest creation, he and Lan share their captivating stories of life in Mao's China, including experiences during the Great Famine, the Cultural Revolution, and their eventual settlement in Australia after the events of June 1989 in Tiananmen Square. Through Jiawei's immense passion and exceptional talent, the walls of his studio come alive with famous characters, artworks, love stories, and battles that art critic John McDonald describes as 'The ultimate exclamation mark on 20th Century history.' Welcome To Babel provides a personal and engaging look at the monumental work of Jiawei Shen and Lan Wang, offering insight into their remarkable journey and the larger narrative of their generation.

Info about Welcome to Babel

Studio(s): Screen Australia, Screen NSW

Originally Released: Australia, Nov 14, 2024

Production Countries: Australia, China

Budget: $570,000.00

Genres:Documentary