Synopsis: 

 

Jia Zhangke’s debut is ground zero for his modern-China project: non-actors, 16mm grain, long takes, and a quietly shattering final image. The World Cinema Project’s new 4K restoration, which is from the original camera and sound negatives, supervised by Jia, returns the film’s tactile immediacy. Critics have long praised its humane, observational power; Peter Bradshaw called it “engrossing” with a “compassionate walking pace.” Essential context for Jia’s entire body of work.