In the late 20th century, the need for a new radio and television tower in Pudong led my grandfather and his colleagues to undertake a feasibility study in Shanghai. As a result of Chinese Economic Reform, my hometown's urban landscape has rapidly evolved, changing daily throughout the modernization process. Today, it looks completely different from the city I knew as a child—there, yet not there. At times, I find myself losing track of time, drifting through memories that circulate and return like a flowing stream.

 

Can fragmented personal memories challenge the national discourse of progress? The past is not merely a chain of events but a collection of fragments awaiting reconstruction. This film presents a deeply personal story, exploring the director’s experience during the transformative years of China’s Economic Reform. The newly built TV tower, a symbol of modernization during this period, stands as a defining feature of Shanghai's changing skyline.

By examining how national and social changes shape the individual, the film raises questions about how personal involvement contributes to the broader historical narrative. Through a mix of personal diary, family photos, and architectural blueprints, it weaves together personal and national stories, offering a layered perspective on China’s path to modernization.