Mai Mai Ti's 2008

Directed by Xirzat Yahup

On the edge of the Taklamakan Desert, Shawei Village faces harsh living conditions but thrives on a shared love for football. Children play daily in the sand dunes and poplar forests, and the sport brings joy to villagers of all ages. The peace is disrupted when Maimaiti, a reluctant county official, is mistakenly assigned to the village. Hoping for a quick promotion, he falsely claims that if the kids win the regional tournament, they’ll perform at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. This well-intentioned lie sparks a wave of excitement. The entire village unites around the dream, turning a simple game into a symbol of hope, pride, and determination.