International Features Competition

THE FIRST TASTE OF LONELINESS

Chu Ci Chang Dao Ji Mo
European Premiere
Gu You
China, France
2026, 135'
Genre
Recommended Age
All ages
VO. Chinese
ST. English, French
With
Xun Zhou, Yiwei  Zhou
A brilliant and striking depiction of the grief experienced by three generations of women following the sudden death of the family’s grandfather. A superb work of art by You Gu.
A rising star of Chinese cinema, Gu You continues to impress with this moving final chapter of a trilogy that began in 2019. After the sudden death of her husband, Luna finds herself alone for the first time in years. She can, however, count on the support of her daughter Jian Yue, a single mother since her divorce, and her granddaughter Moon. All three grieve in their own way, each experiencing a gentle sense of solitude. With breathtaking virtuosity, Gu’s fluid direction perfectly complements a delicate exploration of absence, with the technical aspects serving to enhance pure and sincere emotion. To top it all off, three actresses deliver remarkable performances that elevate this work of intoxicating melancholy.

Damien Brodard
Direction
Gu You
Screenplay
Yikun Yang, Gu You
Image
Mikiya Takimoto
Editing
Xinzhu Liu
Music
Yubo Wang
Sound
Danfeng  Li
Production
Tandem Films, Hangzhou Enlightenment Films
With
Chaoying Xu, Meijuan  Xi, Shengdi Wang, Xun Zhou, Yiwei  Zhou, Zhicheng  Mu
World sales
Losange Films (Alice Lesort), Les Films du Losange
Gu You
1988, China
Previous works
2023, Dwelling by the West Lake (Feature, Director)
2019, Dwelling by the Fuchun Moutains (Feature, Director)
Wednesday 4 Nov. 18:00
Cinérama Empire

Saturday 7 Nov. 13:30
Cinérama Empire