Two disaffected, unemployed Chinese youth drift through life on the streets of their industrial town, their paths crossing with that of a local young singer and dancer working for a liquor company as a spokesmodel.
Direction
Jia's static frames make boredom feel profound, almost beautiful.
Cinematography
Digital video grit captures Datong's industrial decay perfectly.
Director
Jia Zhangke
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Shot on digital video in Datong, a dying coal city, capturing China's WTO entry anxiety in real time.
The title references a Joy Division album the characters never hear — Jia's wink at Western influence on alienated Chinese youth.
CN
