Jia Zhangke's New Road Movie: Dunhuang to the Sea

Following the 10th Pingyao Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon International Film Festival, director Jia Zhangke will commence location scouting and production design for his forthcoming road movie, "Mamma Dunhuang." This film is set to capture a woman's extensive journey from Dunhuang in western China all the way to the eastern coastline.

Zhao Tao, a frequent collaborator with Jia, will star as the lead in "Mamma Dunhuang." The narrative centers on a homebound woman who utilizes artificial intelligence to aid her during this significant road trip. Jia emphasizes that while AI is integral to the story, it will not be employed in the film's production itself.

The Pingyao festival, which Jia founded, is adapting to rapid changes in the film industry and media landscape. Jia intends to maintain the festival's agile curation and focus on boutique titles to support emerging films in reaching the market. The festival strives to foster an atmosphere of equality and freedom for filmmakers and audiences alike, showcasing diverse international cinema.

Discussions are ongoing to expand the festival's capacity within the UNESCO World Heritage site of Pingyao, a challenging endeavor due to preservation constraints. The festival maintains an open yet prudent stance towards AI, encouraging understanding and discussion of technological advancements.