Director Johnny Ma wonderfully flouts formal conventions with this poetic portrait of a Chinese sea captain, for whom swooning Mandopop melodies offer respite from the drudgery of his duties.
5
A shipping boat captain on Gaoyou's canals makes sacrifices to save his fleet and protect his family. His sole escape from drudgery is melodramatic 1990s Chinese pop music. Director Johnny Ma pushes formal conventions with masterful cinematography and set design to create this poetic tragedy, a unique twist on personal histories.
ALEX ROGALSKI
Screenings
Sun Sep 08
TIFF Bell Lightbox 3
Regular
Mon Sep 09
TIFF Bell Lightbox 5
P & I
Mon Sep 09
TIFF Bell Lightbox 3
Regular