Dance Still

★Absurd Pigeon-Seeking Revelation

Set in the Dongsi Tenth Alley of Beijing, the story follows two young outsiders, Dongsi (played by Yang Kaihang) and Shitia (played by Qian Geng), who embark on a seasonal urban adventure prompted by a 5,000 yuan reward for finding a pigeon:
Spring Absurdity: Toasting with soda at a public toilet entrance while discussing the "Dazhong Dianping" rating system for alley toilets.
Summer Drift: Fishing on a riverbank overgrown with weeds, debating whether fishing qualifies as time management mastery.
Autumn Awakening: Having a lightbulb moment while soaking in a bathhouse, planning a "Hutong version of the Venice Biennale."
Winter Epiphany: Listening to otherworldly sounds through frozen headphones on an ice-covered lake.

★Production Highlights

Minimal Team: The entire crew consists of only six core members, using shared bicycles to transport filming equipment.
Natural Light Aesthetics: Night scenes are illuminated solely by alley streetlights, capturing the essence of old Beijing.
Improv Narrative: 70% of the dialogue is derived from casual conversations at gatherings, adapted by local neighbors.
4:3 Retro Aspect Ratio: This format cleverly avoids the cluttered backgrounds of the alleys, focusing on the characters' inner worlds.

★Key Award Analysis

Judges praised the film for its threefold breakthroughs that "redefine youth cinema":
Anti-Drama Structure: Using stream-of-consciousness dialogue instead of traditional plot advancement, reflecting a "Waiting for Godot"-style existentialism.
Local Practice: Filming on location without clearing the area retains the authentic ecology of the hutong, with residents hanging laundry and walking dogs appearing naturally in the shots.
Cost Revolution: Post-production costs make up 70% of the total budget, creating a "rough cut determines life and death" production model.

★Director's Creative Philosophy

Qin Muqiu and Zhan Hanqi propose the "20% Action Rule":
Script Gaps: Only 10% of the script is written, with the remaining 90% improvised based on weather and actor conditions.
Amateur Revolution: Lead actor Qian Geng filmed for six months without knowing he was making a movie, capturing genuine reactions.
Demystifying Aesthetics: Deliberately using non-professional techniques, such as mobile recordings and handheld shooting, to dissolve the grandeur of the imagery.

★Slice of Contemporary Spirit

The film has been described by Pengpai News as a "Gen Z declaration of Beijing drift," showcasing three key contemporary characteristics:
Suspended Companionship: Their dialogues often feature "read but chaotic replies," concealing deeper emotional connections.
Aimless Romance: Rejecting the "struggle narrative," even drinking soda across from a public toilet can form a complete afternoon.
Local Globalization: Gulou serves not only as a physical landmark but also as a spiritual enclave for global urban nomads.

Set to premiere in late April, witness how these two hutong wanderers confront meaninglessness with absurdity, discovering the original force of life in the process!