Platform

Zhantai

Zhangke’s sophomore feature is widely considered one of the first masterpieces of 21st-century cinema.

  • Director

    Jia Zhangke

  • With

    Wang Hongwei, Zhao Tao, Liang Jingdong

  • China 2000. 155min

  • 35mm

  • Certificate

    15

  • Mandarin with English subtitles

Unfolding between 1979 and 1990, the second part of Jia Zhangke’s ‘Hometown Trilogy’ (alongside 1997’s Xiao Wu and 2002’s Unknown Pleasures) presents a vision of a changing China that is both epic and intimate. A portrait of a provincial theatre troupe initially formed to perform Maoist propaganda, Platform is also a chronicle of a society suspended between tradition and modernity. It’s a fascinating exploration of reform, transformation and changing ideals.

Film on Film