Kaili Blues (2015) is the debut feature film of Chinese director Bi Gan. It follows Chen Sheng, a former doctor turned poet, who works in a rundown clinic in the city of Kaili, Guizhou province. After his troubled past resurfaces, he embarks on a quest to find his nephew, leading him on a journey through the mystical, mist-shrouded landscapes of rural Guizhou. The film is less a straightforward narrative and more a meditative, dream-like tapestry weaving together themes of memory, time, folklore, and redemption. The film is deeply rooted in the southwestern province of Guizhou, Bi Gan's homeland. This region, with its mountainous terrain, ethnic diversity, and humid climate, is a character in itself. The film showcases a China far removed from the modern metropolises of Beijing or Shanghai. The film is structured like a labyrinthine poem (actual poems written by Bi Gan's father are recited throughout). It plays with nonlinear time and dream logic, reflecting a more fluid, philosophical conception of time that contrasts with modern, clock-driven life. This resonates with both classical Chinese poetry and global art cinema traditions.

Director Bi Gan was born into the Miao ethnic group in Kaili, Guizhou Province, China.. He studied filmmaking at Shanxi Media College. His filmmaking is intensely personal, drawing directly from the landscapes and memories of his hometown. He is known for his poetic, non-linear narratives, breathtaking long takes, and a blending of the mundane with the mystical. He cites influences ranging from classical Chinese poetry to Hong Kong genre films and European art cinema.

Kaili Blues was a sensation on the international festival circuit. It won the Best First Feature award at the 68th Locarno International Film Festival, where it was hailed as a work of visionary genius. Critics praised its hypnotic atmosphere, lyrical structure, and bold formal experimentation, drawing comparisons to filmmakers like Andrei Tarkovsky and Apichatpong Weerasethakul.

Kaili Blues is a poetic and formally daring journey into the heart of rural China, establishing Bi Gan as a visionary director through its fusion of local culture, philosophical depth, and groundbreaking cinematography.

This Film Club is convened by Peter Valerio.

Film

Kaili Blues​ 路边野餐 (China)

Directed by

Bi Gan​毕赣

Language

Mandarin and Hmong with English subtitles

Starring

Chen Yongzhong​ 陈永忠

Lixun Xie​ 谢理循

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