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Distant Water Won't Quench Immediate Thirst
China | 2024 | 23 min | Documentary | Chinese Chongqing Dialect
Director: ZHOU Zijie
Screening Time：10/19/2025
11 am-12:22 pm
Synopsis:
Upon graduating from my studies abroad, I returned home only to face a barrage of questions from my parents about my career plans and pressure to settle down. I honestly revealed my intention to pursue a career in documentary filmmaking, sparking the most intense family argument in history…
*Validated parking by the theater at the Trader Joe, 9290 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
Trailer
Film Still
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About The Director
ZHOU Zijie
Zhou Zijie is a Director & Director of Photography who was born in Chongqing China. He began his career as a documentary filmmaker working for VICE CHINA. He is currently studying in USC film production major, keeps polishing his craft while questioning his status at the same time.
Director's Statement
Originally intending to document the daily routine of my summer return home, I inadvertently sparked a major family argument over my post-graduation plans. My parents questioned the income and stability of a career in documentary filmmaking. Thus, in the remaining two months, I endeavored to use my filming as a means to help my parents understand why I wanted to pursue documentaries, in a bid to save documentary filmmaking through a documentary. After a series of efforts and unexpected events, although we couldn't fully understand each other, at least our communication increased. I even interviewed my mother for the first time, which brought me more joy than the film itself. Sharing this process of mending, I hope friends in similar situations can find some empathy and warmth, and attempt to bond increasingly atomized families of 2024 with love. Perhaps the camera could be a useful tool in this battle.
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