description Mountains May Depart Overview
Mountains May Depart is a 2015 Chinese drama film written and directed by Jia Zhangke. Divided into sections set in 1999, 2014, and 2025, it follows Tao and the people closest to her as romantic choices, migration, wealth, and cultural change reshape their relationships. The story moves from Shanxi province to Australia and uses one family's separation to examine China's social and economic transformation.
insights Ranking position
Mountains May Depart ranks #29 of 131 in the Road Movie ranking, behind Gas Food Lodging, ahead of Les Valseuses.
help Mountains May Depart FAQ
What are the three time periods in Mountains May Depart?
Mountains May Depart is structured in three sections set in 1999, 2014, and 2025, tracing the protagonist Tao across changing personal and political landscapes. The 2025 segment is set in Australia and deals with themes of migration and cultural displacement.
Who stars in Mountains May Depart?
The film stars Zhao Tao, the frequent collaborator and wife of director Jia Zhangke, in the central role of Tao. The cast also includes Zhang Yi and Dong Zijian, with Zhao Tao's performance spanning all three time periods.
Did Mountains May Depart premiere at Cannes?
Yes, Mountains May Depart was selected as an official entry at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. It is one of several Jia Zhangke films to screen at Cannes, alongside works like A Touch of Sin and Still Life.
Where does the 2025 section of Mountains May Depart take place?
The futuristic 2025 segment is set in Australia, depicting Tao's son grappling with a loss of his native Chinese language and estrangement from his mother. This section was shot on location in Australia and underscores the film's themes of cultural and familial rupture.
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