Mayor Geng Yanbo wants to restore the city of Datong to its former imperial glory and create a tourist destination showcasing green energy. However, his city is China’s most polluted, and his plans involve moving a third of the city’s population, many poor and with nowhere else to go. Zhou Hao, the film’s director, has extraordinary access to the day-to-day life of Geng. The film is both intimate and massive in scale as it takes in his intense political meetings, spontaneous conversations with citizens, and conversations with his wife. As the faux-historical wall gets erected, tense debates ensue with contractors. The Chinese Mayor gives us a unique perspective on the ground-level politics of modern China, as we’re accompanied by the very human protagonist at its heart. (IK) Presented by Marketing & Communications at the University of Missouri.