Delivering Justice

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In the traditional, narrow hutongs (alleyways) of Beijing, a district court judge — defying expectations — rides a small electric bike to reach local communities and arbitrate cases at the grassroots level. Carrying the emblem of the Chinese justice system in his backpack, just as delivery workers carry their parcels, he brings justice to people who lack financial or legal resources, ensuring fair resolutions for those who might otherwise go unheard.

Akshay Gouri

Director

We Live... and then, We Die., Beholden, Scorched, Repugnance, Hail the Leader!
Ryanne Cheung

Producer

Project Type:

Documentary, Short, Student
Runtime:

11 minutes 20 seconds
Country of Origin:

China
Country of Filming:

China
Language:

Mandarin Chinese
Shooting Format:

Digital
Aspect Ratio:

16:9
Film Color:

Color
First-time Filmmaker:

No
Student Project:

Yes - VCA School of Film and Television, The University of Melbourne

Director Biography - Akshay Gouri

Born on January 26, 1992 in the North-west Indian state, Haryana - where his family had migrated years before his birth from Punjab, Pakistan at the time of the partition of India - Akshay Gouri is a Gender Non-conforming Independent Filmmaker, primarily a Screenwriter and Director, who has been making short films since 2015. His work has been critically acclaimed and has encompassed both fiction and non-fiction, pertaining to Political or Socio-economic realities and their consequences on people dealing with issues around Caste, Gender, Jingoistic Nationalism, Religious and Sexual Violence, and Patriarchy.
He has worked for 2 years at Credence Media Solutions Pvt. Ltd. as Screenwriter and Director and later for 1 year and 5 months as Project Asst Manager (Editorial Creative Consultant) at Vigyan Prasar for the Ministry of Science and Technology’s ‘India Science’ OTT Channel and is currently pursuing a Master of Film and Television at the VCA School of Film and Television, University of Melbourne where he is expected to graduate in late 2024 with a capstone project, titled, ‘Sister Mine’ - a 19 minute film challenging the notion of honor derived from hyper-masculine patriarchal social norms.

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Director Statement

I love making films, and I see filmmaking as more than a profession—it’s an empathetic lens through which I view the world and people, deeply shaping my own worldview. To me, it’s essential to create films that thoughtfully and critically reflect on the social, political, and economic conditions humanity faces, challenging established norms and championing the vision of collective progress and justice for all.

What troubles me most is the stark asymmetry in human development. When communities lack access to resources that others take for granted, it becomes my mission to bring their stories to light. That’s why I chose this subject for my recent short documentary, crafted with minimal resources. I’m also deeply moved by the judge’s dedication in reaching the grassroots level, addressing issues outside his official duties at the district court—it’s a rare and inspiring commitment to justice that has the potential to shape the traditional justice system in a more inclusive and humanist manner.

Private Project

Delivering Justice