The World
a JIA ZHANGKE picture
Synopsis
Tao is living out her dreams at World Park, where visitors can see famous international monuments without ever leaving the Beijing suburbs. The pretty young dancer and her friends perform daily in lavish theme park shows among replicas of the Taj Mahal, the Eiffel Tower, St Mark’s Square, Big Ben and the Pyramids. Xiatao and security guard boyfriend Taisheng, moved together to the big city from the North. Now their relationship has reached a crossroads. Taisheng becomes attracted to Liao, a fashion designer and Xiatao’s fellow dancers are on sentimental journeys of their own. But, despite the fun and magic, even theme park microcosms are vulnerable to change.
Stills
Press
"Daringly crafted. An exquisite allegory of China’s globalist visions among a backward parochialism social mentality."
HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
"Jia’s most extraordinary mapping isn’t of an external landscape, but an emotional one. Without ever leaving Beijing, he shows us an entire universe of human joy, frailty and sorrow."
LA WEEKLY
"The World has a lot to say and is not in any unholy rush to say it."
LA TIMES
"It has a romantic power that seeps into your bones, with its languid rhythms, general plotlessness, and fierce attention to surreal detail."
THE BOSTON GLOBE
"The World is a tragic, visionary work."
CHICAGO READER
"It presents a uniquely powerful look at the new big kid in the global economy.It presents a uniquely powerful look at the new big kid in the global economy."
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
"There’s a seductive stillness to its enveloping mood, with much to appreciate in the sureness of hand with which Jia allows his scenes the time to breathe."
VARIETY
"A glorious achievement"
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
"Maverick Chinese director Jia Zhangke examines the rapidly changing face of China as its economy edges further toward a modified form of market capitalism with yet another complex, multicharacter masterpiece."
TV GUIDE’S MOVIE GUIDE
"The World is the director’s most accessible film."
VILLAGE VOICE
Festivals
& Awards
Venice International Film Festival
In Competition
Toronto International Film Festival
TFCA Award
São Paulo International Film Festival
Critics Award – International
Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival
Deauville Asian Film Festival
Best Screenplay
Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival
London Film Festival
New York Film Festival
Vienna Film Festival
Cast & Crew
| Zhao Tao | |
|---|---|
| Chen Taisheng | |
| Jing Jue | |
| Jiang Zhongwei | |
| Huang Yiqun | |
| Wang Hongwei | |
| Liang Jingdong | |
| Ji Shuai | |
| Xiang Wan | |
| Alla Chtcherbakova |
| Director | Jia Zhangke |
|---|---|
| Scriptwriter | Jia Zhangke |
| Producers | Takio Yoshida, Shozo Ichiyama, Ren Zhonglun |
| Executive Producers | Masayuki Mori, Hengameh Panahi, Chow Keung |
| Cinematography | Yu Lik-wai |
| Art Director | Wu Lizhong |
| Sound | Zhang Yang |
| Editor | Kong Jinlei |
| Music | Lim Giong |
Releases