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The video explores a post-heritage society, following the large-scale dislocation of Aboriginal people and communities at heritage sites. It asks how heritage sites will sustain community and people-related identities in the face of tourism development and the Disneyfication of heritage sites to maintain the authenticity and integrity of the heritage site environment.
After 2023, two-thirds of the population in the central Beijing hutongs will be relocated, with community spaces reconfigured. A significant influx of new residents will occupy the hutong spaces. Consequently, the collective memory of Beijing's hutong communities is bound to undergo a shuffle, leading to natural changes in the community environment. As an influx of tourists flood the heritage sites, the challenge lies in presenting them with an 'authentic' experience of Beijing's grassroots life. The short film invites people to reflect on contemporary issues regarding heritage and society, cultural rights infringements and the dominance of heritage urban renewal. It satirises the dependence on consumerism and the excessive confidence in technology's role in heritage preservation.
Beijing has undergone numerous changes in its urban pattern throughout its history. Beijingers have been forced to engage in passive self-definition and their self-perceptions and common memories have continued to change along with the city.
Beijing urban renewal has consistently emphasised presenting a better external image, promoting a purified traditional image of Beijing while the authentic space of Beijing's hutong residents is being squeezed.
The demolition of Beijing's city walls is seen today as a great shame, causing irreparable damage to heritage values. The out-migration of the residents of Beijing's courtyards poses a similar risk of damaging memories of the hutongs.
The number of hutongs in Beijing has declined by more than two-thirds compared to the last century and with the decline of Beijing's native population, the memory of hutongs may face further dilution in the future.
The principle of the current courtyard renovation is to demolish the structures added, restore the courtyard pattern, and transform it into a cultural and social space later, encouraging new migration.