As a gamer who’s spent countless hours immersed in the vibrant world of cinema, I must say that Jia Zhang-Ke‘s journey with his masterpiece, “Caught by the Tides,” is nothing short of epic. His 23-year odyssey to bring this film to life is a testament to his unwavering passion and dedication, a quest as daunting as any quest in a role-playing game, but with far more rewarding results.
Jia Zhang-Ke, a renowned director from China’s ‘Sixth Generation’ of filmmakers, chuckled and said, ‘I apologize… It seems I mistook this for Beijing instead of New York,’ in reference to the bustling crowd at Alice Tully Hall during the New York Film Festival on Tuesday night.
Following the U.S. debut of his latest film, “Caught by the Tides“, Chinese director Jia found himself brimming with enthusiasm during a post-screening Q&A session. The translator accompanying him struggled to keep pace as he expounded on the 23-year journey to bring this project to fruition for the silver screen. Although some audience members understood his native Mandarin, the translator worked tirelessly to convey his words to English speakers. One aspect that didn’t require translation was Jia’s fervor for portraying a global perspective on modern China through the medium of cinema.
As a gamer, I’d put it like this: “In the Shifts of Tide,” I journey as Qiaoqiao, a heartbroken singer navigating my northern Chinese province through turbulent political and economic shifts, all while grappling with the devastating effects of COVID-19. Over the years, a deep depression gnaws at me as I come to terms with my boyfriend’s pursuit of a better life that seemingly excludes me. Critics like David Rooney from The Hollywood Reporter have praised Zhao Tao, the director’s real-life wife and muse, for her mesmerizing on-screen presence, placing her among the most expressive faces in contemporary cinema. In the film’s post-pandemic conclusion, Qiaoqiao makes a decision that promises to reshape her future. Zhao Tao’s collaboration with director Jia is considered one of the most significant actress-director partnerships on screen today.
For Jia, it was essential to instill a strong self-identity in Qiaoqiao after years of uncertainty, which led him to carefully select scenes from the extensive footage captured by cinematographers Yu Lik-wai and Eric Gautier, who took turns filming between 2001 and 2023. The movie Caught by the Tides, primarily made up of improvised shots, is a collection of footage Jia has been gathering with his team of longtime collaborators throughout China over the past two decades.
In explaining his portrayal of the character Qiaoqiao, Jia stated through a translator, “In my attempts to understand her, it struck me that she’s a powerful female character who doesn’t hinge on whether or not she has a family or is married.” He continued, “This character eventually came to terms with the fact that she can stand alone, be true to herself, and she won’t feel compelled to believe that she cannot survive without love, without a family, without marriage – and without a man.” The director emphasized this point fluently in English for the audience.
As a gamer reflecting on my own virtual world, just like how director Jia Zhangke, who won the Venice Film Festival Golden Lion in 2006 with his movie “Still Life”, carefully portrayed modern China authentically, I too feel the responsibility to capture the essence of my game’s era. When revisiting old footage and contemplating the fate of my characters in 2020 – a unique time indeed – I can’t help but see parallels with the experiences of my players. Collectively, we all go through moments of inclination, solitude, and loneliness.
Jia explained, “Following all the hardships and harm inflicted upon her, I considered placing her in a supermarket – an open, bustling environment filled with goods – to highlight the stark contrast between her loneliness. Additionally, I wanted to introduce this robot companion. It’s intriguing that during screenings at film festivals, viewers often perceive my work as science fiction due to these robots. However, they are unaware of how prevalent robots are in China today. They can be found in hotels, restaurants, and offices, making them a common sight.
He described his approach as follows: “I need to find a way to depict this political figure accurately, while also incorporating China’s current cultural vibe. It feels like I’m straddling two eras – one foot in the past and one in the future. By employing robots, I’m using the movie as a means to explore where China is heading, as the nation continues to develop.
Prior to a festive meal following the movie screening at NYC’s Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi, with guests from the New York Film Festival, journalists, and Rolex executives, Jia shared thoughts about his festival return, where ten of his films have been exhibited over the past 24 years. “I’m incredibly joyful, extremely content,” he said to The Hollywood Reporter, adding humorously, “I enjoy seeing her on the large cinema screen.” Whether he was talking about his spouse or his project displayed on Alice Tully Hall’s massive screen remains ambiguous.
At the New York Film Festival, an event held in collaboration with Rolex, director Jia joined renowned filmmakers Martin Scorsese and James Cameron as a representative for Rolex. This luxury brand has a strong connection to the cinema world, partnering with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, including sponsoring the Oscars. Additionally, Jia worked with up-and-coming Filipino director Rafael Manuel through the Rolex mentorship program.
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2024-10-10 00:27