In a densely minimalist style, Shengze Zhu presents an urban symphony with an infectious sense of rhythm. With slow and precise camerawork, this documentary illustrates life along the banks of the Yangtze River, in Wuhan, the filmmaker’s hometown. The region has been transformed by the expanding social and cultural life of its inhabitants and by imposing buildings, many currently under construction. The film reminds us that even these tamed spaces are vulnerable to the vagaries of intractable nature. To emphasize this message, the film intermittently flashes written personal messages to loved ones on the screen. These texts echo the frailty, strength, and resilience of humanity, notably by highlighting the many faces of grief. This is a powerful film in which the inevitability of change deftly echoes the current global pandemic. (Programming Collective)

Presented in collaboration with the Festival du nouveau cinéma de Montréal (FNC)

competition : International Feature Competition

A River Runs, Turns, Erases, Replaces