Jia Zhang-ke's 'Caught by the Tides' Blends Decades of Footage into Poetic Reflection

The film intertwines old and new footage to explore themes of love, memory, and resilience in modern China.

Jia Zhang-ke uses 23 years of archival footage to create a narrative that blurs past and present.
The film centers on Qiaoqiao, played by Zhao Tao, and her journey through China's rapid transformations.
'Caught by the Tides' features a unique blend of documentary and fiction, with minimal dialogue and a rich musical score.
The movie highlights the resilience of its characters against the backdrop of significant social and technological change.
Jia's innovative use of various video formats enhances the film's exploration of memory and identity.