Mountains May Depart — Trailer

added: Mon, Dec 21st '15

Critically acclaimed Chinese filmmaker Jia Zhangke previously examined the recent economic growth in China with 2013's award-winning revenge film "A Touch of Sin." With the decades-spanning drama "Mountains May Depart," Zhangke is yet again exploring the contemporary life in his home country. But instead of concentrating on violent confrontations, the director appears to have opted for sentimentality.

Taking place in three different time periods (1999, 2014, and 2025), "Mountains May Depart" follows the ever-evolving, fractured relationship between a Chinese divorcee (played by the director's wife, and frequent collaborator, Zhao Tao) and her son who she gave up after her ex-husband gained custody and relocated to Australia.

Premiering to mostly positive reviews at this year's Cannes Film Festival, "Mountains May Depart" will open theatrically in New York on February 12th.

Check out the Chinese film's new U.S. trailer (above), which surprisingly yet charmingly features the '90s dance song "Go West" by the Pet Shop Boys.

synopsis:
China, 1999. In Fenyang, childhood friends Liangzi, a coal miner, and Zhang, the owner of a gas station, are both in love with Tao, the town beauty. Tao eventually marries the wealthier Zhang and they have a son he names Dollar.

2014. Tao is divorced and her son emigrates to Australia with his business magnate father.

Australia, 2025. 19-year-old Dollar no longer speaks Chinese and can barely communicate with his now bankrupt father. All that he remembers of his mother is her name.

directed by Jia Zhangke

starring Zhao Tao, Dong Zijian, Liang Jingdong, Sylvia Chang, Zhang Yi

release date February 12, 2016 (NY; Other cities to follow)