Under the Perspective of Cultural Empowerment: from the Realistic Record of People to the Questioning of Self-identity -- Take China in the Countryside as an Example

Abstract

This paper takes the documentary "China in the Countryside" as its research subject, analyzing its narrative strategies and practical
value from the perspective of cultural empowerment. The film documents the life of Shaoyu Village in Yimeng Mountain through a civilian
lens, reconstructing the authenticity of rural culture, exploring spiritual core values, and preserving cultural symbols by tracing three narrative
threads: the spiritual dilemmas of literate farmer Du Shenzhong, the political predicaments of village official Zhang Zien, and the emotional
struggles of college student Du Bincai. The study reveals that the film employs techniques such as long shots to awaken cultural identity awareness and promote identity adaptation. Its documentary nature and humanistic concern not only present rural realities but also resonate with the
demands of rural revitalization strategies, providing crucial references for telling China's rural stories well and supporting rural development.