Jia Zhangke’s new film -The Romantic Generation- is shortlisted for the New York Film Festival

During a recent interview with World Journal, renowned director Jia Zhangke discussed his new film “A Generation of Elegance,” which has been selected for the main section of the 62nd New York Film Festival (NYFF). Six years after his last release, Jia explained that this film serves as both a document of China’s transformation and a glimpse into the future of new technologies. Jia made an appearance in New York on October 11, where he shared insights about his latest work.

This marks Jia’s tenth entry into the NYFF main section, making him a pivotal figure in documenting China’s evolving narrative. “A Generation of Elegance” is a creative collage made from footage filmed over the last 23 years, encapsulating the shifts in society, cities, and politics through a love story between a man and a woman.

Jia described his new work as employing unconventional storytelling techniques. He aimed to capture the fates of individuals and cities over the past two decades while finding key elements that drive the narrative. The film is structured in three parts, utilizing scenes from his previous works “Still Life” and “The World,” featuring actors Zhao Tao and Li Zubin reprising their roles as lovers, with new footage showcasing their current selves.

He began collecting material soon after acquiring a digital camera, starting with unstructured shooting in Datong. What was planned to be a two-year project expanded significantly as he found it hard to stop filming, a process that continued until the pandemic hit in 2020. Jia initially thought the COVID-19 crisis would resolve quickly, likening it to the SARS outbreak. However, as strict lockdowns dragged on, he felt a sudden urgency to conclude the film.

Reflecting back to his debut film “Xiao Wu” in 1998, Jia noted that he has remained consistently busy amid significant societal changes. He likened people’s progress to being swept along by a tide, whether actively or passively. The pandemic, he noted, served as a pause that made him acutely aware that an era was coming to an end.

The film begins in Datong, where the character Qiao Qiao, played by Zhao Tao, embarks on a quest to find her partner Bin Ge, portrayed by Li Zubin. The film features numerous authentic depictions of urban landscapes.

Jia reflected on the “dynamic zero-COVID” policy implemented in China, which sparked opposition during its enforcement. He explained that the prolonged stillness during those three years signified pain and served as a reminder for people to prepare for an unfamiliar new era marked by smart technologies. With rapid advancements in AI and biotechnologies, he feels “one foot has already stepped into the future.” The film culminates in Qiao Qiao engaging in dialogue with a robot.

As he observes society’s transformation, Jia is also redefining cinematic concepts. He pointed out the prevalence of services like self-driving cars and automated delivery in China but lamented the lack of critical thought regarding how these new forms might shape our emotions and social structures. Post-premiere, he had a fruitful discussion with NYU AI scholar Shi Saining.

Despite suffering some eye strain from reviewing vast amounts of footage, Jia recognized the connection between art and science. He was able to discern narrative causality within seemingly unrelated events, akin to foundational principles in physics, demonstrating that many elements interact in complex ways. He emphasized that “A Generation of Elegance” not only charts the aging of its protagonists but also serves as a commentary on the country and its people.

Looking back, Jia likened the experience to riding a time machine, encapsulating scenes from the planned economy era, as well as collective moments of joy after the new millennium. He reflected, “At that time, China was full of energy, and I was struck and inspired by the vitality of over two decades ago.” The film also references China’s entry into the WTO and the successful Olympic bid, while navigating themes surrounding US-China relations and pandemic management.

In contrast to his previous works that prominently featured music from Hong Kong and Taiwan, “A Generation of Elegance” incorporates numerous Chinese rock songs. Jia expressed that he is not just a fan of the mixtape culture but has “many stories” connected to rock music.

The film opens and closes with the evocative songs “Wildfire” by Lu Xiaofeng and “Continue” by Cui Jian. Jia noted that these tracks embody the resilience of the Chinese people, evoking both admiration and sadness, especially with concepts like standing tall despite adversity as articulated in the lyrics.

The film concludes with Qiao Qiao participating in a night jogging group, a tableau Jia witnessed in Datong—individuals jogging unmasked in the cold night air, merely striving to maintain their health and endure.

Jia hopes to remain deeply rooted in the reality of life, keenly observing issues and changes, which is why he chooses to live in both Beijing and Shanxi. He stated, “Whether I like it or not, this reality belongs to my own life.”

He further alluded to the difficulties of using traditional filmmaking methods in this new social paradigm, asserting that he is actively reshaping his understanding of cinema to adapt to “the new Jia Zhangke.”