Rise of the Phoenix

In industrialized China, the liberation of women is as necessary as it is inevitable, yet the tradition of gender bias still runs deep. Rise of the Phoenix is a personal investigation that examines how the unprecedented transformation of China’s economy is changing the roles, rights and status of women who have long suffered a history of sexist culture.

It tells the compelling stories of four women: a young rural woman who became a teacher against all odds after being forced to drop out of the third grade; a migrant worker asserting her independence and seeking land-rights after a bitter divorce; a successful international lawyer in a male-dominated profession juggling responsibilities as a corporate executive and a single mother; and an enterprising factory girl who enlists in the army of “modern day coolies” for a brighter future for herself and her family.

All these women have many differences — in education levels, resources and opportunities dictated by where they come from. But they all have one thing in common — they’re not afraid to actively shape their destinies through guts, grit and gumption. Their intimate stories are touching and sometimes heartbreaking, and they resonate with women around the world struggling for a better life.

Crafted with a hybrid style of direct cinema and cinéma vérité, these stories engaged the viewers with an “a-day-in-the-life” approach weaving slice-of-life vignettes with on-camera interviews and personal photos. How do 21st Century Chinese women view their worth and negotiate their rights in this cauldron of dramatic transformation? What is the price they have to pay? Through their voices, this film offers a new look at feminism and gender equality that recognizes women not as liabilities but as essential assets for the future of a nation.

For more information, visit the film's website http://riseofphoenixdoc.com.