Carefree Days
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Polish premiereTheatrical Screenings
Kinoteka 2
Kinoteka 1
Film description
Just as she loses her mother, the 25 years old Xu Lingling finds herself facing an unexpected diagnosis of uremia, in the decaying city of Shenyang, China. Struggling to navigate her illness, she reconnects with her estranged father and leans on her best friend Tan Na, and a former classmate Zhao Dongyang. Together, these three embark on a symbolic journey to Shanhaiguan, a place where both personal histories and the broader landscape of Northeast China intertwine.
Sophomore film of director Liang Ming, Carefree Days is profoundly inspired by the Chinese philosophical concept of xiao yao you, which speaks to spiritual freedom beyond worldly concerns – as the Chinese title of the movie suggests. Indeed, the story explores the tension between yearning for liberation and the inescapable weight of reality. Through the story of Xu Lingling, the director poetically shows how personal struggles – whether tied to illness, broken family ties, or emotional loss – can still be touched by moments of fleeting beauty and human connection.
Liang Ming
Born in 1984, Liang Ming is a Chinese filmmaker and actor. Before stepping behind the camera, he initially pursued studies in performance arts and gained experience as an actor and assistant director—he has also worked under renowned Chinese filmmaker Lou Ye, both as an actor and as his assistant director. Liang made his directorial debut in 2019 with Wisdom Tooth, a film that won multiple awards at festivals including the Shanghai and Beijing International Film Festivals. His sophomore film, Carefree Days (Xiao Yao You), further solidified his reputation as a director with a keen eye for emotional depth and understated narratives.
2019 Ząb mądrości / Ri guang zhi xia / Wisdom Tooth
2023 Beztroskie dni / Xiao yao you / Carefree Days
