Together Apart

  • 52'
  • China
  • 2019

Chinese funerals require much preparation: a three-day wake and various rituals precede the cremation. In the opening shots of this magical realist film, the widow returns home drained and starts tidying up the house, only to encounter her deceased husband casually sauntering down the stairs. She soon readopts a familiar routine: dressing him warmly, measuring his blood pressure and bickering with him.

This absurd premise soon develops when visitors from the afterlife are expected and the daughter starts getting involved. As she seeks to solve the impossible situation, grandson Jiajia seems to be the only one unquestioningly embracing grandad's return. All shot in long, composed takes, replete with understated humour and tender reflections on family, loneliness, memory and the passing of time.

Director
Qu Youjia
Premiere
International premiere
Country of production
China
Year
2019
Festival Edition
IFFR 2020
Length
52'
Medium
DCP
Original title
San chi
Language
Mandarin
Producer
Qu Youjia
Sales
Rediance
Screenplay
Qu Youjia
Cinematography
Lv Qing
Editor
Yang Yang
Production Design
Xu Yao
Sound Design
Mei Zhu
Cast
Dai Chong, Dong Qing, Jiang Shuhua, He Haoze
Director
Qu Youjia
Premiere
International premiere
Country of production
China
Year
2019
Festival Edition
IFFR 2020
Length
52'
Medium
DCP
Original title
San chi
Language
Mandarin
Producer
Qu Youjia
Sales
Rediance
Screenplay
Qu Youjia
Cinematography
Lv Qing
Editor
Yang Yang
Production Design
Xu Yao
Sound Design
Mei Zhu
Cast
Dai Chong, Dong Qing, Jiang Shuhua, He Haoze