Ash Is Purest White (2018)
Zhangke covers similar ground as in Mountains may depart with a love story that spans decades while China is undergoing big societal changes. The plot is more central here and the underlying themes of increased commercialism was a bit more hidden, though it still surfaces in various conversations about coal prices and whole cities succumbing to the changes. Despite a rather compelling sad story that is played well by Zhao Tao, it did left me mostly emotionally neutral. Things just happen, which does seem to be the intention as the nature of the story deals with people not fully allowing to form their own lives or adapt to a changing world. I have now seen three of Zhangke’s film and all have been an eye opening of sort into Chinese culture and modern history, but also frustratingly challenging as the film language is so different that makes it hard for me to fully connect with.
Rating: 3