A screenshot of the Documentary Master In Forbidden City. [Photo/Mtime]

Narrative pace

The stories are told in a slow and leisurely pace, closely capturing the restorers' working and living status. Restoration of cultural relics and antiques is time-consuming, and sometimes boring. Yet these restorers' patience and persistence and their tranquil lifestyle are especially precious in a society where everything is changing so fast. The camera captures their devotion to work and their attitude to life.

"If you choose this job, you would have to endure hours of work sitting on the chair. You need to be quiet and get used to being quiet," said Wang Jin, ancient clock repair expert, says in the documentary. This exact sense of tranquility and persistence is visible throughout the series.

Craftsmanship spirit

What is more touching in the documentary is the craftsmanship spirit embodied in these restorers. Years of humdrum work requires not only skill, but also faith and spirit. The pursuit of preciseness and perfection, devoting to work, strong patience, endurance to loneliness...all these qualities are a vivid interpretation of "craftsman spirit". This lifts and broadens the theme of the documentary.

Master In Forbidden City delicately tells the stories of both modern individuals and historical cultural relics, in a touching yet natural way. No doubt people loved it so much.