Stars Await Us

Zhang Dalei’s highly anticipated second feature, "Stars Await Us" is a unique work that confirms the director as one of the most original and creative filmmakers in the vibrant panorama of contemporary Chinese cinema.

Set in a city situated between Russia and China in the 1990’s, the story actually seems to take place in a timeless location and seems to depict archetypal figures, suspended in a realm of cinematographic imagery which privileges suggestive ambiances over facts.

And so, special atmospheres, scarce dialogues and suggestive songs immersed in a striking visual setting render with ease the intriguing story of Ma Biao, a man who has served time in prison, and comes back to look for Karinna the woman he has loved and still loves, whom he cannot find but keeps seeing in the features of other women, like the lady who sells bread at a local shop.

Even Wei and Xixi, the young couple, whom he has met at the car repair shop remind him of the relationship he had with Karinna, so when Wei gets in trouble with the local gangster, he wants to help him avoid making the same mistakes he has done once and wants to put a closure to his past grudges. But the past will come back to haunt him, like the elusive image of Karinna.

Giovanna Fulvi