Building nostalgia

As for the subject of his third film, Xiang, Ju says, "I want to make a film that is about villages in China and people's nostalgia."

So far, he has collected information on some 80 buildings in villages, such as in Quanzhou, Fujian province, and Kashgar, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

Ju has launched the China Architectural Heritage Film Center that works on "documenting, protecting and preserving old buildings in China", by working with local governments across provinces.

"The trilogy allowed me to delve into Chinese architecture and I hope the three films can eventually help to change things, such as having more people involved in filming and protecting old buildings," Ju says.

Born in 1975 in Urumqi, Xinjiang, he graduated from the directing department of Beijing Film Academy. He is regarded a pioneer among China's new generation of experimental filmmakers and his work covers videos, photography, narrative films and paintings.

In 2000, Ju's debut film, There Is a Strong Wind in Beijing, was shown at the 50th Berlin International Film Festival. In 2003, his documentary, Quilts, premiered at the Amsterdam Documentary Film Festival.