03
Artistic Approach
Super Village is a love letter to a time and place, immersing viewers in the mesmerizing and inspiring world of Cunchao through verité and observational cinema. Using minimal interviews and voice over, the film allows audiences to experience the rhythms of daily life in Rongjiang County as they unfold. Voiceover and title cards provide essential context, but the characters speak for themselves, leaving viewers to form their own interpretations.
Structurally, the film moves forward with time, following Langdon Se Bien village as they attempt to qualify for the 2024 Cunchao tournament. However, the focus extends far beyond the field, spending more time with the people and their surroundings than on the competition itself. Many characters appear only briefly, reflecting the fluid, impressionistic nature of life. Inspired by Hale County This Morning, This Evening, Ascension, and Sacro GRA, Super Village moves beyond conventional storytelling, embracing a non-narrative approach that prioritizes atmosphere and lived experience over traditional plot progression.
Though the film follows a team and their qualification journey, Super Village is not a sports documentary. Instead, it uses soccer as a backdrop; a universal entry point for audiences, much like the stadium serves as a gathering place for Cunchao’s fans. By shifting the focus to the people, the film highlights the power of observational cinema to create a reflective and immersive mood.