SPRINGTIME IN A SMALL TOWN

SPRINGTIME IN A SMALL TOWN
Original Title:Xiaocheng Zhi Chun
China, 2002
Director: Tian Zhuangzhuang

After a long, harsh, dark winter, spring has at last come to a small town in Southern China. The year is 1946. At the Dai family house, a once grand but now dilapidated traditional courtyard home, life carries on at a slow, leisurely pace. Dai Liyan, the head of the household is young but sickly; his wife Yu Wan is dutiful but vibrant, beautiful and frustrated.

Liyan’s lively 16 year-old sister Xiu also lives with them. One day, a visitor shows up. He is Zhang Zhichen, a former classmate of Liyan’s and now a doctor based in Shanghai who is travelling around China. He was also a neighbour of Yu Wan before her marriage. His arrival is a joyous occasion for all. Or is it?

Script:
Zhung A-cheng

Cinematography:
Mark Li Ping-bing

Editing:
Xu Jianping

Music:
Zhao Li

Production: Li Xiaowan, Tang Yat Ming / 35mm / colour / 116 mins

Director's bio-note:
Tian Zhuangzhuang, a Fifth Generation filmmaker and one of China’s foremost directors, is a graduate of the Beijing Film Academy, and part of the Chinese New Wave of the 1980s. He has directed many successful films including Li Lianying, the Imperial Eunuch, Horse Thief and On the Hunting Ground.

The Blue Kite (1991) was screened at the Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes in contravention of the order of the Chinese Film Bureau.