BD Wong whispers you through 5,000 years of secrets the West keeps borrowing.
As one of the world’s premier art museums, The Metropolitan Museum of Art is home to the finest collection of Chinese artistic masterpieces of any museum outside of China. The collection spans 5,000 years of changing political dynasties and varying religious and foreign influences and represent every period of Chinese history. One of the most astonishing things about China is how little most Americans actually know about it, even though China’s culture is so present in our western world. We often see China as a nation casting off tradition in a mad rush to westernize. But below the hectic surface lies a steadfast culture that has influenced the West in deep and subtle ways.
Direction
Doyles let objects breathe like characters.
Cinematography
Gorgeously lit artifacts that demand screengrabs.
Writing
BD Wong's narration hits different—intimate, never patronizing.
Director
Marc Doyle
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
BD Wong recorded his narration in a single three-hour session, refusing breaks to maintain the film's meditative rhythm.
Released during the 2008 Beijing Olympics hype cycle, the documentary quietly countered Western narratives of China's 'sudden' emergence by proving its continuous cultural dominance.
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