UCCA Beijing

A Psychological Study through Film
The Absent Screening and Discussion

2015.9.13
18:00-20:00

Cinema Arts
Location:  Auditorium
Language:  Chinese with Chinese and English subtitles

In this short film techniques from traditional Chinese painting are combined with Western-style drama, exploring issues of politics, gender, and identity. Contrasting with the simplicity of scenes are extreme close ups and dialogue cut together in a non-linear narrative. On the side of the screen, a dance is projected silently creating another extreme juxtaposition—in actuality an extension of the film's psychological study.

Ticketing:

RMB 20 / Adult

RMB 10 / UCCA Member

Note:

*Collect your ticket from reception 30 minutes before the event begins.

* Please no late entry.

About the Film

Andy, a psychologist, receives a call from Bian Qin, a prison warden, asking him to visit a patient in prison. He agrees, but soon Andy realizes that prisoner 02014 is not normal. On the surface 02014 seems crazy, but he provides an illuminating insight into the world that Andy has never considered. Shocked at first, Andy becomes deeply attached eventually beginning to reexamine his life through 02014’s perspective. The definitions of freedom and prison become muddled, and the relationship between doctor and patient is reversed.

The Absent

Director: Liu Dianxia, Xu Ping

Screenplay: Liu Dianxia, Xu Ping

Starring: Dang Haoyu, Fu Pengxu

Genre: Drama/ Suspense/ Psychology

Country: China

Year: 2015

Runtime: 28 min.

Speakers

Liu Dianxia is a screenwriter, film and music critic.

Xu Ping is a cinematographer and film director.