Last Train Home

Name: Last Train Home
Director: Lixin Fan
Released: 2009

Lixin Fan 2009

Every spring, China’s cities are plunged into chaos as 130 million migrant workers journey to their home villages for the New Year in the world’s largest human migration. Last Train Home takes viewers on a heart-stopping journey with the Zhangs, a couple who left infant children behind for factory jobs 16 years ago, hoping their wages would lift their children to a better life. They return to a family growing distant and a daughter longing to leave school for unskilled work. As the Zhangs navigate their new world, Last Train Home paints a rich, human portrait of China’s rush to economic development.

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Running Time:

52/87 min.

Spoken Languages:

Chinese

Subtitles:

English

Directors:

Lixin Fan

Producers:

Mila Aung-Thwin, Daniel Cross

Cinematographers:

Lixin Fan

Editors:

Lixin Fan, Mary Stephens

Production Companies:

EyeSteelFilm

Immigration and Migrat..

Labor

Society

Urbanism

Press

Roger Ebert

It's one of those extraordinary films, like “Hoop Dreams,” that tells a story the makers could not possibly have anticipated in advance. It works like stunning, grieving fiction.
Video Librarian

Last Train Home offers a moving portrait of a family torn apart by economic change, and a wrenching account of parents whose sacrifices for their offspring have unexpected result... Recommended.
Educational Media Reviews Online

Along with the growing coverage of migrant workers’ well-being, career opportunities, and children’s public education from the media, this emotionally engaging film is very highly recommended.

Festival Participation

Sundance Film Festival
San Francisco International Film Festival
Golden Gate Award - Investigative Documentary Prize
IDFA
Best Feature Length Documentary
Riverrun Film Festival
Best Documentary
Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival
Best Cinematography
Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival
Grand Jury Prize - Outstanding Documentary Feature
RIDM
Best Canadian Film

Additional Materials

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