Caught by the Tides Trailer: Jia Zhangke’s Long-Awaited Masterpiece Premieres This May

      His first narrative feature in six years, Jia Zhangke’s Caught by the Tides compiles footage gathered over approximately two decades, marking one of the filmmaker's most significant accomplishments. This film, which serves as a concluding piece in a project chronicling the transformation of China, has been selected for Cannes, TIFF, and NYFF and is set to debut in U.S. theaters on May 9 through Janus Films and Sideshow. Ahead of its release, a new trailer and poster have been unveiled.

      Here’s the synopsis: “Connecting all of his previous films, Jia Zhangke presents an epic exploration of the romantic fate of his recurring character, Qiaoqiao. Covering 21 years of a nation undergoing significant change, the film offers a fresh perspective on contemporary China as well as personal experiences amidst the intense emotional and social upheaval.”

      In his review, Rory O’Connor noted, “Jia Zhangke’s work often evokes a sense of déjà vu: ‘We’re once again in the northern Chinese city of Datong,’ Giovanni Marchini Camia wrote for Sight and Sound in 2019, ‘it’s once more the dawn of the new millennium, Qiao is again involved with a mobster, yet no other characters return, and there are enough distinctions to indicate that this isn’t a sequel or a remake.’ Camia was discussing Ash Is Purest White, but many of the same observations apply to Caught by the Tides, the director’s latest venture into his archive—indeed his memories—and transforming what he discovers into something new. The lead character in Tides is once again named Qiao and is portrayed by Zhao Tao, appearing here in more than two decades worth of the director’s footage, allowing viewers to witness the evolution of that unique creative partnership in real time—one of the remarkable treasures of modern cinema.”

      Watch the trailer below and check out our interview with the director regarding the making of the film here.