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Sheng xi zhi di

Living the Land
Competition 2025
© Floating Light (Foshan) Film and Culture
It is 1991, and China’s socio-economic transformation is profoundly affecting the lives of individual families across the vast nation. Peasant farmers face challenges and technological advances that are radically reshaping their rural way of life. In response, ten-year-old Chuang’s parents have opted to move away to seek work in the city, leaving their third child behind to be raised by extended family and neighbours in their countryside village community. An intimate yet sprawling saga spanning four generations unfolds, navigating cycles of life through the changing of the seasons. As births and deaths, weddings and funerals take place, we witness the resilience and resourcefulness of ordinary people grappling with the burden of familial responsibility in a modernising world that is increasingly in conflict with the beliefs, traditions and codes of honour and duty they have lived by for thousands of years.
by Huo Meng (Director, Screenplay)
with Wang Shang, Zhang Chuwen, Zhang Yanrong, Zhang Caixia, Cao Lingzhi, Zhou Haotian, Jiang Yien, Wan Zhong, Mao Fuchang, Yang Kaidong People’s Republic of China 2025 Mandarin 132' Colour World premiere

With

  • Wang Shang (Xu Chuang)
  • Zhang Chuwen (Li Xiuying)
  • Zhang Yanrong (Mrs. Li-Wang)
  • Zhang Caixia (Sun Guilan)
  • Cao Lingzhi (Wang Cuifang)
  • Zhou Haotian (Jihua)
  • Jiang Yien (Laidan)
  • Wan Zhong (Tuanjie)
  • Mao Fuchang (Gongchang)
  • Yang Kaidong (Fuhe)

Crew

Director Huo Meng
Screenplay Huo Meng
Cinematography Guo Daming
Editing Huo Meng
Music Wan Jianguo
Sound Design Li Tao
Production Design Yu Shuyao
Casting Cui Yuanyuan
Producer Zhang Fan
Executive Producers Wang Jun, Jiang Hao, Yao Chen, Cai Yuan
Co-Producers Xu Chunping, Liu Junhe, Liu Yi, Zeng Jiyuan

Produced by

Floating Light (Foshan) Film and Culture

Shanghai Film Group

Phoenix Legend Films

Bad Rabbit Pictures

Lianray Pictures

World Sales

m-appeal

Photos

Press Conference

Red Carpet

Huo Meng

© Huo Meng

Born in Taikang in the Chinese province of Henan in 1984, the director first studied law at the Communication University of China before embarking on a master’s degree in cinema at the same institution. His short film Hongguang’s Holidays won Best Student Short Film at the Beijing University Film Festival. His feature Crossing the Border – Zhaoguan won several international awards and was screened at the 2020 Berlinale as part of the On Transmission special programme in which established directors (in this case, Jia Zhangke) introduced the work of up-and-coming filmmakers.

Filmography

2018 Guo Zhao Guan (Crossing the Border – Zhaoguan) 2025 Sheng xi zhi di (Living the Land)

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2025