London Chinese Cultural Centre

Sunflower 向日葵

Dir: Zhang Yang   Cast: Sun Haiying, Joan Chen, Liu Zifeng  2005  129’

UK premiere

Winner at the San Sebastian Film Festival for Best  Director and Best Cinematography.

Sun Haiying and Joan Chen give towering performances in this semi-autobiographical story. It is  a  most emotionally affecting work yet from the Shower and Quitting director the film traces the tumultuous relationship between father and son through four decades of Chinese history. Artist Gengnian is sent to labour camp during the Cultural Revolution, only to return with a useless hand to his alienated offspring. As years pass, the estrangement only grows…until a remarkable epiphany that is as emotional as it is truthful. This was a thoughtful piece of work and is definitely worth a look for an insightful dramatic tale in a Chinese setting -- with both family and society as key themes.

Harrow Arts Centre
Sat 22 March            Time:  19.00 - 21,20
(in partnership with  the Museum in Docklands)