For this documentary, Kenny Huang wanted to explore and highlight the developmental impact of science further. Turning to his home country, China, he noticed an interesting phenomenon. “In China, a developing country, the government has creatively approached the problem of lower employment rates in far-flung areas by deploying mechanical engineers to build high-speed trains. These trains have dramatically improved connectivity, reduced transportation costs, and created widespread employment for people from low-productivity areas.”
Inspired by the developmental impact of high-speed trains in China, the producer decided to shoot a documentary detailing how the trains facilitate ordinary workers coming into the metropolitan cities of Shanghai and Beijing. Beginning with wide shots of urban China, the documentary zooms into the lived experiences of the older and younger generations, ultimately showcasing how simple mechanics can be leveraged to transform lives.
