An Elephant Sitting Still
aka Da xiang xi di er zuo
First screened in November 2019
Director: Hu Bo. Cast: Peng Yuchang, Zhang Yu, Wang Yuwen, Li Congxi, Ling Zhenghui, Kong Yixin, Li Danyi, Kong Wei, Wang Ning, Zhang Xiaolong, Dong Xiangrong, Guo Jing, Wang Xueyang, Wang Chaobei, Zhuyan Manzi, Zhaoyan Guozhang, Li Suyun, Huang Ximan, Li Qing, Li Binyuan, Zhao Tao. Screenplay: Hu Bo.

 Twitter Capsule: Ponderous pace and length are crucial to Hu's goals and ideas, though his strategies are fairly blatant.

Second Capsule: Very sad that an artist so deeply committed to a specific, engaged, evocative vision won't have chances to complicate or advance it further.

VOR: ⑤  Forceful, affectively resonant shooting and editing tactics, even when they feel obvious or repetitious. Ambitious logistics. Culturally daring.


Photo © 2018 Beijing Donghun Films, Co./Chu Yanhua
and Hu Yongzhen, © 2019 KimStim Films

Not yet reviewed in full. Grade: B+

Awards:
Berlin Film Festival: Special Mention for Best First Feature; FIPRESCI Prize (Forum)
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