Archive of films A High Sky Summer / Wang Shouxian de xia tian

China
2002, 90 min

Section: Another View
Year: 2002

The peace of summer life in a village in south-western China is disrupted by the arrival of a film crew which is seeking a boy to play the lead in their film. Twelve-year-old Shouxian, not the most studious of boys, willingly does all he can to get the part. The director commented on his film: “I was moved by the children and the teachers in this faraway village. They represent a natural existence, simple and sincere.”


Synopsis

The peace of summer life in a village in south-western China is disrupted by the arrival of a film crew which is seeking someone to play the lead in their film. Twelve-year-old Shouxian is excited by the goings-on and constantly hangs around the filmmakers. When he finds out that they’re looking for a boy just his age to play the lead he willingly does all he can to get the part. He even puts hot pepper in his eyes to cry more realistically during the audition, and this convinces them to cast him. But Shouxian’s teacher doesn’t allow him to act the role because he claims that Shouxian is incapable of reciting any text by heart. Moreover, Shouxian has failed several times in school and he may even have to repeat a year. Shouxian refuses to accept this verdict but, in spite of all his efforts, the film is not made. The experience, however, has helped Shouxian grow. The director commented on his film: “Peaceful observation is the style of this film. I was moved by the children and the teachers in this faraway village. They represent a natural existence, simple and sincere.”

About the director

Li Jixian

Li Jixian (b. 1962, Shenyang, Liao Ning province, China) studied art and design at Beijing Film Academy in 1985-89, and was then for a time engaged shooting commercials. In 1999 he wrote the script for Lingering Face, and in 2001 he directed the independent production A High Sky Summer.

About the film

Black & white, 35 mm

Section: Another View
   
Director: Li Jixian
Screenplay: Xiaojiang, Li Honghe
Dir. of Photography: Liu Jie
Music: An Wei
Editor: Zhou Xinxia
Producer: Huang Jun, Han Sanping
Production: China Film Group Corporation
Cast: Wei Zhilin, Cheng Taisheng, Lui Shikai, Li Wanquan
YouTube

© 2024 FILM SERVIS FESTIVAL KARLOVY VARY, a.s. [email protected] +420 221 411 011 All contacts

AccommodationsAccommodations Festival Pass, tickets, reservationsFestival Pass, tickets
HistoryHistory ContactsContacts
Archive of filmsArchive of films KVIFF TalksKVIFF Talks
Industry Days Programme 2021Industry Days Programme KVIFF Eastern PromisesKVIFF Eastern Promises
VideogalleryVideogallery PhotogalleryPhotogallery
ContactsContacts Posters of the 57th KV IFFPosters of the 57th KV IFF
HistoryHistory Festival GuideFestival Guide