All Quiet at Sunrise

Director:

Zhu Xin

Genre:

Drama, Fantasy

Country/Region of production:

China

Synopsis:

Graduate student Ma Ke is dedicated to writing a linguistics thesis on "Lucy, the earliest ancestor of mankind," firmly believing that Lucy possessed the earliest human language skills. Professor Li Tong seems to question Ma Ke's work, but actually finds clues in his thesis that may explain her daughter's disappearance. While Ma Ke struggles with reality and writing, his mother, Hai Yan, begins to make frequent appearances in his life. His mother leads him to an old, dilapidated house that she has bought. Through this mysterious house, his mother's concerns and desires are slowly revealed, while Ma Ke's life increasingly merges with the world of his thesis.

Why we recommend it:

In recent years, with the emergence of young filmmakers' works such as "Vanishing Days," "Suburban Birds," and "Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains," terms like "Hangzhou New Wave" have begun to gain popularity in Chinese cinema circles. Zhu Xin stands out as one of the very young creators among these young Hangzhou filmmakers. The 15th Beijing International Film Festival has paid special attention to this "future star" of Chinese cinema and has set up a spotlight section dedicated to Zhu Xin. The film "All Quiet at Sunrise" is an artistic exploration project characterized by its unique narrative techniques and profound connotations. With delicate imagery and layered plots, the film depicts the protagonist's confusion and awakening during his growth. Every detail in the movie is filled with poetry, making the audience feel as if they are in a dreamlike world. This film, Zhu Xin's latest feature, was selected for both the Berlin Critics' Week and the Hong Kong International Film Festival, and is one of the highly anticipated art films of 2025. The film's screening at the 15th Beijing International Film Festival marks its premiere on the Chinese mainland, and it's definitely worth a trip to the theater to experience.