Journey to the West
Press Play to start
Theatrical Screenings
Kinomuzeum
Kinomuzeum
Online Availability
Additional Materials
Film description
Tang Zhijun, the editor of a once–popular science fiction magazine from the 1980s and 1990s, is facing the slow collapse of his beloved publication. Bit by bit, he parts with the props accumulated in the office, selling them off to film crews. When he hears about reports of extraterrestrial activity coming from a village deep in Sichuan Province, western China, he sees a chance to rescue the magazine’s finances. Setting off with his small team in search of signs of alien life, each of them has their own reason for joining the journey – yet when they finally arrive, what they find is nothing like what they expected. “Journey to the West” is at once arthouse science fiction and a sharp–witted comedy of situations, one of the most layered and entertaining works in contemporary Chinese cinema.
text:
Maja Korbecka
Kong Dashan
Kong Dashan was born in 1990 in Qufu, Shandong Province, eastern China. He is a direct descendant of Confucius (75th generation). He earned a bachelor’s degree from Sichuan Media University and a master’s degree from the Beijing Film Academy. Between 2011 and 2017, he directed five short films that blend elements of comedy and drama, revealing his fondness for satire and postmodern mixing of cinematic styles and genres. In 2021, he completed his feature debut, “Journey to the West”, which won the Audience Choice Award at the 5th Pingyao International Film Festival organised by Jia Zhangke. Kong Dashan also works on the sets of major Chinese science fiction productions, including “The Wandering Earth 2”.
2011 Shao nian ma li ao de fan nao / The Troubles of Young Ma Liao
2014 Changye jiangjin / The Long Night Will End
2014 Fazhi weilai shi / Future of Law
2015 Qinmi airen / In the Room of Love
2017 Chuntian, laoshimen zou le / Spring, the Teachers Are Gone
2021 Wędrówka na Zachód / Yuzhou tansuo bianjibu / Journey to the West

