Still Life

Directed by Jia Zhang Ke

Winner of the 2006 Venice Film Festival, Still Life continues Jia’s exploration of a China rushing to embrace capitalism and its modern globalism trappings. The symbolic setting is the Three Gorges Dam where the film focuses on two people, each seeking a loved one living amongst the devastated landscape.

Reviews

“The winner of the Golden Lion at Venice, this is as much a record of an unsought twilight as a narrative drama […] The despondent tone is lifted by moments of hope and, surprisingly, hilarity. ****” Patrick Peters, Empire

“Jia Zhang Ke is perhaps the most distinctive director working in China now. His films are beautifully observed, social realist snapshots of a society in flux. The Venice Film Festival winner Still Life fits the same mould. […] it’s a fascinating, understated masterpiece. ****” Wendy Ide, The Times

 
Awards

Asian Film Awards ’07 – WINNER
– Best Director (Zhang Ke Jia)

Venice Film Festival ’06 – WINNER
– Golden Lion (Zhang Ke Jia)

Duration:
113 minutes

Languages:
Mandarin and Sichuan

Country of origin:
China

Year of production:
2006