Shooting The Tiger - Snow covers the roofs, muffles the sounds and makes us wonder if what we see is real. Gods, emperors and warriors with colorful robes and faces walk on the narrow, white roads. The sound of drums and fireworks will soon scare away the demons.
\n
\n Xiaoxiao Xu's Shooting the Tiger (CN/NL) depicts the traditional Shèhuŏ festival in northwest China. Farmers invoke blessings for a bountiful and fruitful harvest, through drama, songs and acrobatics. It is the festival that welcomes the warmth of spring, the joy of blossoming trees.
\n
\nIn a world where the connection between man and land has become fragile, Shoot the Tiger celebrates an aspect of Chinese culture that is disappearing, or better, evolving. Traditions are about who we are and where we come from, powerful tools that connect people. Xu shows that there is comfort in traditions, even if they are not our own.
\n
\nWe follow Xu on his journey through the colorful world of Shèhuŏ. Traveling from village to village, the locals welcome him into their homes in preparation for the events. These moments help to bring out the mysterious and alienating atmosphere of the festival. Wear your best costume, paint your eyes, get ready to shoot the tiger: it's the beginning of a new season.
\n
\nWith an essay by Maria-Caterina Bellinetti.
