INTERESTING TIMES - THIS HAPPY LIFE

"People with children, climb through the windows." This is not an unusual instruction from the staff of Zhengzhou station, China's busiest train station. Especially on the eve of Chinese New Year when 1.2 million people are all trying to get home, chaos is rife.

Mr. Liu, Head of Passenger Affairs and Mr. Fu, Party Secretary and responsible for the political education of station staff are filmed at work in the hectic station and at home with their families. The film delves deep into the souls of these two men. Mr. Fu confesses his marriage to be unhappy. He is still in mourning for his first wife and mother of his child, who died during an abortion. When his beloved son joins the army, he is distraught. Mr. Liu also has problems. He and his wife are facing redundancy after buying a new luxury home; and school fees for their child are turning unexpectedly expensive.

This film is also an atmospheric and absurd portrait of Zhengzhou station where giving away a found baby to a fruit vendor and the murder of a passenger are just part of the daily routine