In the village of Bawangtai in 1991, time appears to have stood still. Ten-year-old Chuang is left to live with his uncle while his parents and older siblings set out to find work elsewhere. Living as an outsider, Chuang finds comfort in his young aunt and his surly but kind nonagenarian great-grandmother. His experience, one of joy and hardship, paints a sprawling portrait of rural life in China.

The Silver Bear winner for Best Director at the 2025 Berlin Film Festival, Chinese filmmaker Huo Meng’s elliptical and elegant sophomore feature is equal parts coming-of-age tale and epic portrait of provincial life.