Still Life

The masterful Still Life confirms Jia Zhang-ke’s position as China’s foremost contemporary director. It takes place in the boom town landscape along the banks of the rising Three Gorges Dam. Cities are demolished and submerged and people are chased away. At the same time, the area has become a magnet for entrepreneurs, crooks and everyone looking for more or less easy money. As a narrative thread, we meet two people who both have arrived to find lost spouses. Although having different intentions behind their search, both after a while achieve their goals. This film deservedly won the main prize at last year’s Venice festival. bb