Shot over a span of three years on China’s railways, “The Iron Ministry” explores the expansive interiors of a nation in transition. It captures the interplay of human and machine, the sounds of metal and movement, and the contrasts of light and shadow, as well as the nuances of communication and body language. This film weaves together numerous train journeys into a singular narrative, encapsulating the excitement and apprehension of societal and technological change. “The Iron Ministry” draws viewers into transient connections and tense interactions between people and technology on the brink of becoming the globe’s most extensive railway system.