So Long My Son

by Wang Xiaoshuai

So Long My Son

Synopsis

SO LONG MY SON traces the lives of two families over three decades of social, political and human upheaval in China. Following the loss of a child in a tragic accident, their paths separate. Destinies ebb and flow, and fortunes are transformed under the impact of a country’s changing face. Yet even as their lives diverge, a common search for truth and reconciliation around the tragedy remains. But sometimes it can take a lifetime to say farewell. SO LONG MY SON chronicles people and a society in full transformation - in which human relationships and the tumultuous evolution of a nation are inevitably and inextricably intertwined.

Director

WANG Xiaoshuai was a pioneer figure of Chinese independent films in the 1990s, and is one of very few masters who remains true to his art in spite of rampant commercialism in nowadays Chinese film market. By virtue of strong personal style, deep concern for humanity, and diligent independent filmmaking, WANG’s works have competed in Cannes Film Festival four times (twice in Un Certain Regard, twice in main Competition), twice in the Berlinale, and also at Venice and San Sebastian film festivals. He has been appointed chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Minister of Culture for his artistic accomplishments. His directorial debut, The Days, was held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Wang has received many distinguished honors notably the 51th Berlinale Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize for Beijing Bicycle (2001), the Jury Prize for Shanghai Dreams (2005) in the Cannes Main Competition and the second Berlinale Silver Bear for Best Screenplay for In Love We Trust (2008). His most recent works Red Amnesia (2014) and So Long, My Son both examine the far-reaching consequences of the past on the present.

DIRECTOR’S FILMOGRAPHY

1993 Days (Dong Chun De Ri Zi)
1995 Frozen (Ji Du Han Leng)
1997 So Close to Paradise (Bian Dan·Gu Niang)
2000 Suburban Dreams (Meng Huan Tian Yuan)
2001 Beijing Bicycle (Shi Qi Sui De Dan Che)
2003 Drifters (Er Di)
2005 Shanghai Dreams (Qing Hong)
2008 In Love We Trust (Zuo You)
2010 Chongqing Blues (Ri Zhao Chong Qing)
2011 11 Flowers (Wo 11)
2014 Red Amnesia (Chuang Ru Zhe)
2018 Chinese Portrait (Wo De Jing Tou, Documentary)
2019 So Long, My Son (Di Jiu Tian Chang)

Cast

Wang Jingchun
Yong Mei
Qi Xi
Du Jiang
Wang Yuan
Ai Liya
Xu Cheng
Li Jingjing
Zhao Yanguozhang

Crew

Director WANG Xiaoshuai
Producer LIU Xuan
Executive Producers WANG Xiaoshuai, YANG Wei, YU Dong, WANG Hai, WANG Jingchun, HAN Jianv, HE Junyi
Co-producers Doris GUAN, JIANG Defu, WANG Bing, LUAN Fuxing,HUANG Shaohua, ZHANG Meng
Associate Producers HAN Sanping, ZHANG Xi, Steven HUI, ZHENG Ling , WANG Ye, YANG Jinsong, LI Wei
Line Producers ZHAO Yuan, WANG Lijun, Qian Yini
Co-writers A Mei & WANG Xiaoshuai
Director of Photography KIM Hyun-seok
Production Designer LV Dong
VFX Makeup Designer Matthew SMITH (UK)
Sound Designer FU Kang
Chief Editor Lee CHATAMETIKOOL (Thailand)
Original Music DONG Yingda

Technical Data

format DCP / colour / 5.1
length 185 min.
original language Mandarin

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