On October 6th, the Busan International Film Festival kicked off the Asian premiere of Jia Zhangke’s latest film, “A Generation of Excess,” starring Zhao Tao in the lead role. During a press conference that day, both Jia and Zhao shared their thoughts and experiences related to the film.
Looking back on the film’s evolution since its start in 2001, Jia noted, “We began filming without a specific direction, using digital cameras, and gradually honed our approach, ultimately crafting a love story that spans over two decades.” He discussed the film’s innovative creative process, saying, “We built the film’s structure from images, which brings me immense joy compared to the traditional script-based method. Film, at its core, has always been about visual storytelling.”
Jia also emphasized the importance of this era of production, pointing out that it exists at a key intersection of rapid technological advancement and the rise of artificial intelligence. “Completing this film feels like capturing a fascinating moment,” he stated. “We are straddling the past while stepping into a new era. This transitional period, though fleeting, is incredibly captivating.”
During the press conference, moderated by Park Do-sin, Vice Executive Chairman of the Busan International Film Festival, Zhao commented on the recurring female character “Qiaoqiao” in Jia’s works. “For me, each character with that name represents distinct stories and life experiences,” she explained. Zhao also identified the absence of dialogue as her biggest challenge in this film, stressing the need for subtlety in portraying the characters’ intricate emotions over two decades.
Additionally, Jia elaborated on Zhao’s character’s lack of dialogue throughout the film, noting that the significant societal changes over twenty years render words inadequate. “In this film, Qiaoqiao primarily engages with the world around her through her eyes, inviting the audience to experience the transformations of the past years. I want this to be an immersive way for viewers to navigate their understanding of our world,” he explained, urging audiences to pay attention to the film’s visuals and ambient sounds.
“A Generation of Excess” has been selected for the Gala Presentation section of this year’s Busan International Film Festival, marking Jia’s return to the festival since the premiere of his film “Swimming to Sea Change” in 2020. “Busan is where my film career began,” Jia reflected during the press conference, reminiscing about his first participation in the festival with his debut film, “Xiaowu,” in 1998.
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