BEHEMOTH (Bei xi mo shou) (2015) - ♦♦♦♦♦

Directed by - Zhao Liang

"BEHEMOTH is a lyrical documentary that carries a powerful environmental message. It shows the destruction of the landscapes of inner Mongolia at the hands of industrialisation, coal mining and other exploitative activities. 

Its serious and outraged tones use the allegories of the titular Biblical monster and a phantomatic descent from heaven to hell inspired by DANTE ALIGHIERI's DIVINE COMEDY. Yet the influences originate from ZHAO LIANG's own interest in all of the arts, and his sensibilities are what inspires the filmmaker to tie together authentic footage shot on location at coal mines, building sites and pastures with more imagined and poetic ones, such as a naked man lying down on the ground with his back facing the camera and a guide-like figure walking the landscape carrying a mirror on his back whilst breathing heavily - a direct reference to the dangers of pollution. 

BEHEMOTH is put together with musical precision, with attention to mood and atmosphere spellbinding and thought provoking. The cinematography is very intuitive, and this clearly shows in such shots as images fading in from strangely coloured smoke, which makes the working sites look like battlegrounds. These are all sequences that represent the strong viewpoint of the filmmaker, whose film largely depends on images to stir up emotions, rather than voice of god narration, which is only used by way of enriching poetic lingo. A masterful sense enhancing protest. "

Documentary, China/France