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‘An Unfinished Film’ Review: Lou Ye’s Docufiction Covid Chronicle Captures the Strange Slippage of Time
In Lou Ye's 'An Unfinished Film,' a docufiction approach to a covid chronicle captures the strange slippage of time.
The line between reality and drama blurs as Lou genuinely re-discovers years-old footage, and proceeds to follow a fictitious film crew completing an abandoned project, only for China’s severe Covid-19 lockdowns to interrupt their work, as well as life in all its rhythms. During this escalation, Lou and cinematographer Jain Zeng keep numerous cameras running simultaneously, capturing thrilling impromptu scuffles and negotiations, which editor Jaiming Tian expertly weaves together in chaotic fashion, reflecting the cacophonous breakdown of social order. As they slowly find new ways to stay sane and keep themselves entertained, this leads to an upbeat, multi-screen montage set to an acoustic cover of Mongolian-Chinese pop hit “The Fiery Sarlang” — among the festival’s most moving, life-affirming musical moments.
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