Jia Zhangke takes up the iPhone for a new short film

The Chinese director’s The Bucket is much more than a commercial.

Words

Charles Bramesco

@intothecrevasse

Chinese great Jia Zhangke is currently working the press circuit for the upcoming US release of his latest feature, Ash Is Purest White. Along with the usual interviews and public appearances, he’s unveiled a minor new project sure to give his profile a bump in visibility just in time for a fresh picture.

His new short titled The Bucket focuses on a young city-dweller visiting his rural family for the Lunar New Year, and taking a full load of goodwill gifts with him back to his urban home. On the return journey, he has to keep a close eye on the large container with which his mother sent him off, coming to view it as a symbol of a parent’s enduring care and love.

Most notably, Jia shot the entire thing using only the iPhone XS, meaning his short doubles as a showcase for the fluid slow-motion capture and crisp definition of the camera. He also composed a pair of spots highlighting the filmmaking capabilities of Apple’s newest and shiniest gizmo yet, underscoring the commercial aspect of this particular work.

Such a nakedly sentimental, technology-forward endeavor may seem out of character for Jia, who not so long ago suggested that Google Translate may be taking the place of young sons in Chinese society. But he’s always been fascinated by new frontiers and digital possibility, so perhaps the prospect of keeping the production in his pocket proved too tempting to pass up.

Ash Is Purest White arrives in US theaters on 15 March. A UK release date has yet to be set.

Published 6 Feb 2019

Tags: Jia Zhang-ke Jia Zhangke

Suggested For You

A Touch of Sin

By D'Arcy Doran

Violence as a way of life in Jia Zhangke’s searing state-of-the-nation address.

review LWLies Recommends

Ash is Purest White – first look review

By Adam Woodward

China’s foremost auteur Jia Zhangke returns with a stirring and constantly surprising social critique.

Mountains May Depart

By David Jenkins

Jia Zhangke’s ambitious, multi-stranded romantic epic features a stunning central turn from Zhao Tao.

review LWLies Recommends

Little White Lies Logo

About Little White Lies

Little White Lies was established in 2005 as a bi-monthly print magazine committed to championing great movies and the talented people who make them. Combining cutting-edge design, illustration and journalism, we’ve been described as being “at the vanguard of the independent publishing movement.” Our reviews feature a unique tripartite ranking system that captures the different aspects of the movie-going experience. We believe in Truth & Movies.

Editorial

Design