RAILROAD OF HOPE

Every year during August and September several thousands of agricultural workers leave Sichuan by train for a long journey of more than 3000 km – lasting three days and two nights – towards China’s far west: The Xinjiang Autonomous Region, where endless cotton-fields wait to be harvested. For most of them it is the first time away from their native village and also their first time on a train. This is probably the first opportunity ever for us to listen to Chinese peasants from poor districts, who speak their mind.