Chinese director Huo Meng‘s “Living the Land,” a deeply personal exploration of China’s rapidly evolving rural landscape in the early 1990s, is world premiering in competition at the Berlin Film Festival.
The filmmakers have unveiled a clip exclusively for Variety.
The film follows 10-year-old Chuang, who is being raised by extended family in his village while his parents work in distant cities – a narrative that captures a pivotal moment when thousands of years of agricultural tradition began colliding with sweeping socioeconomic changes.
Speaking through his producer and interpreter Zhang Fan, Huo explains that the film’s genesis predates his previous work “Crossing the Border” (2018), which also played at Berlin, drawing from his own childhood experiences in rural China. Through Zhang, the director notes that the story emerges from China’s centuries-old agricultural civilization, where land and life have been inextricably linked.
The film’s examination of shifting family dynamics proves particularly poignant. According to Huo, traditional rural Chinese society revered elders for their sophisticated farming knowledge, from weather patterns to cultivation techniques. However, as technology began reshaping rural life in the reform era, younger generations gained prominence through their grasp of modern skills, gradually diminishing the elders’ traditional authority.
Cinematically, the film employs distinctive moving long takes that create an immersive atmosphere, departing from the contemporary setting of “Crossing the Border.” The production benefited from a full year of shooting, with Huo noting that China’s film industry now offers greater resources and opportunities for such ambitious independent projects.
The casting process prioritized authenticity, with most performers having lived through the 1990s period themselves. This approach yielded unexpected depth, as exemplified by one elderly actress who, after filming wrapped, expressed how the role had inspired her to embrace her own life anew.
Looking toward distribution, Huo sees encouraging signs for independent cinema in China, citing support from the Art House Film Alliance and major festivals like Shanghai and Pingyao. While blockbusters like “Ne Zha 2” continue breaking box office records, platforms for more intimate storytelling are expanding.
The filmmaker’s vision, extends beyond simply portraying exotic Chinese rural life. Instead, the film aims to connect with international audiences through universal experiences of family bonds, generational change, and the enduring influence of one’s homeland. Special attention is paid to female characters – mothers, sisters, and grandmothers – who steadfastly support their families through times of transformation.
The film is produced by Floating Light (Foshan) Film and Culture, with co-production support from Shanghai Film Group, Phoenix Legend Films, Bad Rabbit Pictures, and Lianray Pictures. Berlin-based M-appeal is handling world sales.
“Living the Land” marks Huo’s return to the big screen after a seven-year hiatus since “Crossing the Border.” While future projects remain unconfirmed, the film’s Berlin premiere signals the continuing evolution of Chinese independent cinema on the global stage.
Watch the clip here:
