In the Daliang mountain region of Sichuan lives the ancient Yi minority, their priests are called Bimo. Since ancient times the Bimo have relied on memorized scriptures to communicate their people’s desires to the ghosts and spirits. This film follows the story of three very different Bimos. The Spell Casting Bimo is specialized in black magic rituals. His curse can hurt even kill a person. The government’s prohibition of the ceremonies let him decay from a position of feared power to unemployment.
The Soul Calling Bimo is the respected master of white magic. He cures the sick and calls to souls for help and good fortune. But his past hides sadness and pain. In his quest to birth a son to whom he can pass on his Bimo scriptures, he has married four women. At the age of 64 he finally had a son. The Village Cadre Bimo is a rare case among the Yi: he is empowered by the government with religious and political status. However, when he abuses this power during the village mayor elections, he is dismissed.

Screenplay Yang Rui
Photography (colour) Liu Fan, Deng Xu, Han Yan
Music Jike Qubu
Sound Luo Dan, Zhang Hui, Liu Yang
Production Xie Xiaojing, Beijing Film Academy Youth Studio
Year of production 2004-2006
Running time 91’
Format HD CAM

Yang Rui

Yang Rui was born in the Chinese province of Liaoning. From 1991 until 1995 she attended the journalism courses of the Liaoning University and obtained the bachelor degree. After her studies until 2002 she directed documentaries for the Liao Ning TV station. From 2002 until 2005 she worked in the director department of the Beijing Film Academy and took part in different master courses. She worked as assistant director for Tian Zhuangzhuang in two feature films, Delamu (2003) and Go Master (2004). The documentary The Bimo Records is her directorial feature debut.