Documentary on Suzhou crafts hits North American cinemas

The Magic Craft of Suzhou, a documentary about traditional handicrafts in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province, was released in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Toronto and Vancouver on June 24, presenting the authentic Jiangnan (a region south of the Yangtze River) culture to audiences in North America.

By visiting 12 cultural heritage practitioners, the film explores the essence of nine crafts that are unique to Suzhou, namely Song brocade, pit carving, colored lantern-making, Ming-style furniture, Suzhou boat snacks, Su Embroidery, kesi (silk tapestry), jade carving, and Xiangshan Gang's traditional architecture construction techniques, highlighting craftsmanship in the new era that improves upon tradition.

Several media in North America have reported on the film since its release.

Film Threat commented "This is a pleasantly succinct and splendidly filmed movie about the creative impulse and how that impulse is used to respect the past and present."

Avi Offer from NYC Movie Guru praised the film as "illuminating, exhilarating and eye-opening".

Stephen Sham, former mayor of Alhambra city, California, said "The movie is fascinating and valuable in terms of its camerawork, contents and narrative. I hope this film will teach more people about traditional Chinese crafts and get them interested in the preservation of traditional crafts."

The documentary is scheduled to hit cinemas in Sydney and Melbourne in Australia and Auckland in New Zealand in late July and will open in major European cities later this year.

Suzhou currently has six items inscribed on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list and has won 32 national titles, 124 provincial titles, and 172 municipal titles for its culture. The city is also home to 50 national intangible cultural heritage practitioners, 143 provincial practitioners, and 464 municipal practitioners.