In this docu-fiction by critically acclaimed Chinese director Lou Ye (Spring Fever; Suzhou River) filmmaker Xiaorui (playing Lou Ye) revisits some decade-old footage from an unfinished film, reigniting poetic memories of past youth and prompting the desire to complete the work. Reuniting the original crew and actors, they embark afresh on this new project shot in Wuhan, but COVID-19 forces the group into lockdown. Isolated in their hotel rooms, they explore ways to integrate this new situation into the film. Blending fiction and reality through various footage from mobile phone, video calls and social media, and scenes of real riots or of deserted Wuhan, Lou Ye brings us an astonishingly relevant film, immersive and moving all the way.

Festival selection/awards:
Special Screenings Section, Cannes International Film Festival 2024; Winner of both Best Narrative Feature and Best Director at the 61st Golden Horse Awards 2024

Notes by Marie-Pierre Richard.

This film is screening as part of the East Asian Film Festival 2025.