Today, just a quarter of the traditional, old brick and stone houses are still standing in the Shanghai neighborhood where film-maker Shu Haolun grew up still stand. 　　

Now Shu has created "Nostalagia", a 70-minute portrait of life in the old brick houses that characterized Shanghai's residential districts from the 1920s to early 1940s. 　　

The film is an emotive, personal ode to the buildings that are known as Shikumen in reference to their stone gates, a rapidly disappearing architectural form that blends European and local forms. 　

Shu was inspired to create his film in 2002. He had just returned home from a film school in the United States to find the local government had announced his area was slated for imminent destruction. 　

Shu followed his family going about their daily life for the bulk of the material in his documentary. They first moved into the "Da Zhongli" complex from the countryside in the 1935. 　　

His film debuted in late June to a very appreciate audience, some of whom were so moved by the subject matter they cried.

"My father loved the film. He was born in the house in 1936 and my parents lived with my grandparents," said Shu. 　　

The low-budget film won't make it to the cinemas, but the public will be able to catch it at a number of independent venues. Shu also plans to release 5,000 DVDs for sale at around 20 yuan (US$ 2.50) each. 　

Nostalgia will screen again on September 16th at 2:00pm at the Shanghai Duolun Museum of Modern Art. 　

Source: Reuters/ Edited by CRIENGLISH.COM