New York-based distributor Cheng Cheng has picked up North American exclusive all rights to “Striding into the Wind”, Chinese director Wei Shujun's autobiographical debut. The Cannes 2020 official selection has played worldwide at top film festivals, such as London BFI Film Festival, Busan International Film Festival, and Chicago International Film Festival. In its home country, the 30-year-old filmmaker's third entry at the latest Cannes and recognitions it has received from major Chinese awards have made its upcoming domestic release one of the most anticipated among cinephiles. The acquisition was negotiated by Breaker Studios and Cheng Cheng Films. The specialty distributor behind releases of Chinese language films “A First Farewell”, “The Great Buddha+”, and “Crosscurrent”, is planning to bring it to North America in winter 2021.
“A versatile talent who was once a child star, an entrepreneur, a rapper, and now probably the most awarded young Chinese helmer, Wei Shujun approaches auteur cinema like none of his peers. Instead of simply borrowing the aesthetics of internationally worshipped masters, he rejuvenates the art form by exposing the embarrassments and faith it has brought to indie filmmakers in China, where moviegoing culture vastly differs and the filmmaking industry is far from mature. We want to make sure audiences in the US and Canada don't miss out on this exciting new voice and can't wait to show his debut “Striding into the Wind”.” stated by the distributor.
Synopsis
Film school student Kun graduates into a real-world that moves too fast to care about his auteur aspirations and sound recording skills. Yearning for an escape away from Beijing's grinding survival races, he sets off for a film shoot in Inner Mongolia's lush grasslands, where amusing man-made spectacles and unforgettable lessons await him. With three Cannes official selections under his belt at the age of 30, writer-director Wei Shujun is an unstoppable force rising from the Chinese indie film scene. In the debut inspired by his real-life experience, he leisurely delivers sharp observations of the embarrassments surrounding film education and indie filmmaking in a money-oriented society with witty humor.
