How does a person with a mental illness live in a world with others who are considered “normal”? Wang Zhantuan (Ge You) under ordinary circumstances is regarded as an eccentric, with his occasional odd and erratic behaviours, though he has a unique sense of perception. Zhou Zheng (Wang Junkai) is a sensitive and reticent young man who stutters and is autistic, yet hides a rebellious nature. As two friends who stand out from the crowd causing headaches to others, there is no end to this drama …
This film is adapted from screenwriter Zheng Zhi's own short story “The Immortal Disease”. It is directed by Gu Changwei, a well-known cinematographer for directors Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige, and whose debut feature Peacock was 2005's Jury Grand Prix winner at the Berlin International Film Festival. This marks Gu's second collaboration with Ge You since Farewell My Concubine in 1993.
Filming for the lead actors wrapped recently and a theatrical release is to be announced. A note that the English title is currently an unofficial literal translation of the title in Mandarin.
