A failed writer, his dad who 'helps' too much, and Beijing rent—what could go wrong?
Beidiao screenwriter Wei Fei has always dreamed of becoming a pure literature writer, but because of his livelihood, he has no intention of devoting himself to creation. Father Lao Wei came to Beijing to help his son, but he could only make a lot of jokes out of help. The father and son, who hadn't seen each other for many years, gradually understood each other under the brief run-in in Beijing and the encouragement and support of friends, and Wei Fei also retained his persistence in his dream.
Acting
Wang Chuanjun's exhausted dreamer energy is devastatingly relatable.
Writing
Meta narrative: a writer writing about writing badly. Chef's kiss.
Production
Beijing's cramped apartments feel like another character.
Director
Lei Xu
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The 'Beidiao' phenomenon—artsy migrants chasing dreams in Beijing—has fueled Chinese indie cinema since the 1990s, but this film unusually centers the parental sacrifice left behind.
Wang Chuanjun rose to fame through comedy skits; casting him as a failed serious writer creates delicious meta-tension between his persona and the character's pretensions.
CN
