-The Projector Exclusive-

-Opens: 24 Apr-

Thurs 01 May (Public Hol) - Screening + Virtual Post Show Q&A with Director Wang Xiaoshuai. 1pm-3.15pm (Screening) | 3.15pm-4.15pm (Q&A)

Please select the 01 May date, if you wish to attend the Q&A session.

For 01 May screening: Projector Gift Vouchers & Projector Members Free Tickets - do not apply.

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2024 Golden Horse Winner (Best Adapted Screenplay), 2024 Berlinale Crystal Bear Nominee, Best Film

Considered a rebel veteran of Chinese independent filmmaking - three time Silver Bear (Berlinale) winner - Director, Wang Xiaoshuai’s latest inventive family drama, delves into the complexities of rural life and intergenerational bonds.

Ten-year-old Wo Tu dreams of having a water pistol like other boys in his village. Despite his father's promise, the toy remains out of reach. However, his terminally ill grandfather assures him that he will fulfill this wish from beyond the grave. After his death, the grandfather visits Wo Tu in his dreams, leading him on a symbolic treasure hunt that blurs the lines between reality and imagination, past and present.

Above The Dust weaves a tapestry of family history, love for the land, and the passage of time across three generations in modern rural China. Juxtaposing stark landscapes with intimate human struggles, echoing Wang Xiaoshuai’s trademark focus on marginalized lives.

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ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

​Wang Xiaoshuai, born 1966, in Shanghai, is a prominent Chinese film director, screenwriter, and occasional actor. A leading figure among China's "Sixth Generation" filmmakers, he is renowned for his sensitive portrayal of contemporary Chinese society, particularly focusing on youth and familial themes. WANG has directed 15 films - his works span different eras, yet consistently reflect a strong social conscience. 

Wang's directorial debut, The Days (1993), garnered international acclaim but faced domestic censorship in China.  His 2001 film, Beijing Bicycle, won the Silver Bear Jury Grand Prix at the Berlin International Film Festival. Shanghai Dreams (2005) secured the Jury Prize at Cannes, and In Love We Trust (2008) earned the Silver Bear for Best Screenplay in Berlin.

In 2018, Wang released Chinese Portrait, a documentary offering a nuanced view of China's rapid urbanization through a series of intimate portraits. His 2019 film, So Long, My Son, delved into themes of loss and societal change, further establishing his reputation as a masterful storyteller.