Forgetting to Know You

Summary

Forgetting to Know You (Chinese: 忘了去懂你) is a 2013 Chinese drama film written and directed by Quan Ling.[1] It was Quan's directorial debut. The film debuted at the 2013 63rd Berlin International Film Festival, but was not released domestically until August 29, 2014.[2]

Forgetting to Know You
film poster
Chinese忘了去懂你
Hanyu PinyinWàngle Qù Dǒng Nǐ
Directed byQuan Ling
Written byQuan Ling
Produced byJia Zhangke
Starring
CinematographyYu Lik-wai
Edited byWang Yuan
Music byLim Giong
Production
companies
Release dates
  • February 13, 2013 (2013-02-13) (BIFF)
  • August 29, 2014 (2014-08-29) (China)
Running time
88 minutes
CountryChina
LanguageMandarin

The film is set and filmed in Baisha (白沙), a suburban town in Jiangjin District, Chongqing. The Chinese title used at Berlin International Film Festival was Mosheng (陌生; "Unfamiliar"), but it was later changed to match the English title's meaning.

Cast edit

  • Tao Hong as Chen Xuesong, who runs a corner shop
  • Guo Xiaodong as Cai Weihang, Chen's carpenter husband who wants to start a furniture business
  • Zhang Wan as Yuanyuan, Chen and Cai's young daughter
  • Wang Ziyi as Wu Junyan, a taxi driver who likes Chen
  • Zhang Yibai as Yang Jiucheng, rich and famous man who was once friends with Chen

Plot edit

The film deals with a normal working-class couple, whose relationship deteriorates under stress due to lack of trust and communication.

Reception edit

David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter praised Quan's rookie efforts as "nuanced", adding that "Tao’s performance in the central role alone makes it captivating".[2] Derek Elley of Film Business Asia rated it 7 out of 10 and states "the film is made engrossing by its two lead actors... (Tao) simply gets better and better with age, drawing a subtle portrait of a bored wife who still longs for more than she's ended up with: tiny details in costuming, gestures and looks make this a performance that could so easily have been over-ripe."[1]

Awards edit

Award Category Individual Result
2014 11th China Movie Channel Media Awards Best Film Nominated
Best Screenwriter Quan Ling Nominated
Best New Director Quan Ling Nominated
Best Actress Tao Hong Won
Best Actor Guo Xiaodong Nominated
Best Supporting Actor Wang Ziyi Won
2015 6th Youth Film Handbook Awards Top-10 Films of the Year Won
Best New Director Quan Ling Won (tied)
Best Actress Tao Hong Won
Best Actor Guo Xiaodong Won
2015 6th China Film Director's Guild Awards Best Young Director Quan Ling Nominated
Best Actress Tao Hong Nominated
2015 Beijing College Student Film Festival Best Actress Tao Hong Won (tied)

References edit

  1. ^ a b Derek Elley (2013-02-15). "Forgetting to Know You". Film Business Asia. Archived from the original on 2013-02-24. Retrieved 2013-02-22.
  2. ^ a b Rooney, David (2013-02-13). "Forgetting to Know You: Berlin Review". The Hollywood Reporter.

External links edit