Brings viewers into a small Chinese city and inspires familiarity with the rhythms of everyday existence, with people's dreams, shortcomings and illusions in a way that is universal.
Acting
Zhang Jingchu's silent rebellion speaks volumes
Cinematography
Gray skies that feel like emotional weather
Direction
Gu's painterly eye for mundane tragedy
Director
Gu Changwei
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Banned in China for depicting the Cultural Revolution's psychological damage without explicit politics.
The peacock that wouldn't spread its tail? Not CGI—crew waited three days for the real bird to perform.
CN
