Tea, Zen, Dance

A quest for meaning in modern China, guided by the charismatic main character Zhao Liang, one of the leading choreographers of modern dance in China today.

Poorhouse International is very happy to represent Patrick Carr´s latest documentary. He has set up his production company in Beijing many years ago and has worked for many western companies including the BBC. This documentary, commissioned by ARTE, will take the audience on a search for meaning in modern China, guided by the joyful and charismatic main character Zhao Liang, one of the foremost choreographers of modern dance in China today. We follow the evaluation of his new work “Escape from the Temple” with which he hopes for a break through on the international scene. But amidst public ambivalence, artistic feuds, greedy investors and international financial meltdown Zhao faces an uphill struggle to put his new piece on at all. He must also confront the nagging doubt about what he should do with his life, having already turned 36: go on to create or turn inward to the path of the enlightened Zen practitioner? We experience the première of the new work, quite an achievement in itself. And Patrick Carr thought it worthwhile to record the dance in full while Zhao remains undecided about his future.

Director Patrick Carr
Production Company Mandarin Films
Duration 56 Min (doc) and 65' (performance)