“The difference between film and memory is that film is always false. Memories mix
truth and lies”, a character in Bi Gan’s second feature film says. His debut, Kaili Blues, marked him as a talent to watch in China’s budding eighth generation. The dreamy,
elliptic tale ends in a 45-minute single shot in which past and present
intertwine.
The follow-up, Long Day’s Journey Into Night, is even more impressive and partially in 3D. Once again, his lead returns to Kaili (the
director’s home town) after years away. Luo Hongwu has come to attend his father’s
funeral, but is also in search of a lover he just can’t forget. The summer they
shared 20 years ago seamlessly merges with his contemporary search: “Every
time I see her, I know I am in a dream again.”