As we continue our exploration of Zhou Dijun‘s short films, it is now time for probably the most ‘famous’ one, an LGBT title that screened in Beijing Queer Film Festival among a number of other festivals around the world.
Watch This Title
on CathayPlay by clicking on the image below
The film begins with two high school students, Hua and Cha, jumping the wall of the school, while the music heard suggests that they are up to something mischievous. They put on make-up, they fix their hair and they escape, with their fondness for each other being palpable. They walk around a neighborhood that seems somewhat high class, and soon board the train. It seems they are searching for Hua’s boyfriend, Jack, who was not in school that day, with Cha evidently not being particularly fond of him.
They walk around the city, smoking, as Hua gets more and more aggravated by the fact she cannot find him. At some point, Hua receives a phone from his brother, Mark who also says he cannot find him. Soon, it is revealed that something else is going on. A flashback in black-and-white reveals what happened.
The pace here is somewhat problematic, but the story of a girl in love who tries to force her friend to see her in a different way works quite well, essentially saving the movie, context wise. The ending in particular, in combination with the Radiohead-like music definitely closes the short in a rather entertaining note, while inducing it with an equally appealing music video hypostasis, which is actually permeating throughout.
In general, the cinematic approach of director, cinematographer (along Qian Weixu) and editor Zhou Dijun is of a very high level. The focus on the legs of the girls, with the high socks and the short skirts adds a very appealing, sensual and voyeuristic element, without never becoming crude. The fast montage of them moving through different locations is also well presented, while the monochrome flashbacks add a very appealing retro sense to the movie. The rather fast pace also works in favor of the aesthetics, adding to the road movie aspect of the film.
Zhou Dijun and Qian Weixu in the protagonist roles are both beautiful and exhibit a wonderful chemistry throughout, acting the happy-go-lucky girls with gusto and being convincing in the slightly more dramatic moments.
Overall, “Scented Tea” is another great effort by Zhou Dijun. Now it is only left to watch him coming up with a feature, which I feel is due.
