East Meets West is about children from a Chinese martial arts academy who travel to America to join students in the Gold Drum & Bugle Corps marching band on a tour of sports stadiums across the country. Despite the language barrier and their disparate backgrounds, the young people from both sides of the world learn about multiculturalism, integration and friendship through art, sport and shared experience.
This 45 minute documentary showcases some impressive performances and fine choreography, but little else. Devoid of drama, cinematic merit or any real insight into the individuals, East Meets West has its heart in the right place, but comes across less like a film and more like an extended segment on Blue Peter.
It feels somewhat churlish to criticise such a laudable endeavour with a positive and important message, but ultimately the film is too light and fluffy to be truly affecting.
Watch below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IJkLPmNhs0
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