Mao's Great Famine

Patrick Cabouat's documentary offers a jolting examination of the disastrous planning and violent implementation of the so-called Great Leap Forward—the attempt by Mao Zedong's Communist government to modernize China and transform it from a primarily agrarian economy into a modern superpower through an aggressive process of collectivization and industrialization. These efforts—implemented from 1958 to 1962—resulted in an unprecedented disruption to traditional Chinese society, as well as one of the greatest humanitarian catastrophes of the post–World War II era: a famine that led to the deaths of tens of millions. The most astonishing aspect was the decision that was made by the authorities to maintain full grain stores while the country's population was left to starve; and even when news of the tragedy filtered into the outside world, the Chinese leadership lied about it. Cabouat presents rare film footage coupled with the testimony of survivors to illustrate the deprivations and chaos created in the Great Leap Forward. Well-researched and handsomely produced, this is a powerful documentary that shines a light on a shameful chapter in 20th-century Chinese history. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)