The film shows the fashion industry’s labourers, workers populating the vast, neon-lit factories, often competing – in a titanic effort – with the efficiency and precision of machines. And we meet small-scale artisans uneasily waiting for the new economy’s laws to sweep away their craft and force them to look elsewhere for a means to support themselves: maybe a coalmine, maybe a taxi.... Useless also portrays the industry’s creators, some of today’s most exquisitely accomplished and innovative designers. Ma Ke is the design director of the Chinese clothing brand Exception – one of the few remarkable local fashion labels. Earlier this year at Paris Fashion Week, she presented her new brand, Wu Yong (meaning ‘useless’), intended more as a conceptual work of art than a pręt-ŕ-porter line. Rooted in Taoism, her design philosophy combines groundbreaking ideas with handwoven materials and amazing feats of manufacturing. Harmoniously weaving the disappearing old and the vital new into a visual texture of great impact, Jia both informs and seduces as he portrays the unknown faces of changing China.
Jia Zhang Ke
Jia Zhang Ke is a Chinese film director often grouped with other ‘Sixth Generation’ directors such as Wang Xiaoshuai and Lou Ye. Jia Zhang-ke was born in Fengyang, China, and studied at the Beijing Film Academy. He directed his first feature, ‘Pickpocket’, in 1997, and his first short documentary, ‘In Public’, in 2001. Filmography: ‘Platform’ (2000), ‘Unknown Pleasures’ (2002), ‘The World’ (2004), ‘Still Life’ (2006), ‘Dong’ (2006) and ‘Useless’ (2007).
General sponsor
Wu Yong
China, Hong Kong
2007, 80'
Directed by:
Jia Zhang Ke
Cinematography:
Yu Likwai, Jia Zhang Ke
Edited by:
Zhang Jia
Music:
Lim Giong
Producers:
Yu Likwai, Zhao Tao, Youyishanren
Produced by:
Xstream Pictures
