RETURN TO DUST
by Li Ruijun
China 2022, 133'
Director: Li Ruijun
Walking Past the Future – Cannes Un Certain Regard 2017; Fly with the Crane - Venice Orizzonti 2012
Tender tale on the transformative nature of love
Humble, unassuming Ma and timid Cao have been cast off by their families and forced into an arranged marriage. They have to combine their strength and build a home to survive. In the face of much adversity, an unexpected bond begins to blossom, as both Ma and Cao, uniting with Earth’s cycles, create a haven for themselves in which they can thrive. A story about eternal love, against the odds.
Awards
Silver Mulberry Audience Award; Black Mulberry Audience Award - Udine Far East FF 2022
Golden Apricot Award (International Competition) - Golden Apricot Yerevan IFF 2022
La Espiga de Oro - IFF of Valladolid 2022
Festivals
World Premiere: Berlin IFF 2022 - Competition
CHAI. Chinesisches Filmfestival Leipzig 2022
Udine Far East FF 2022
Sydney FF 2022
Golden Apricot Yerevan IFF 2022
New Horizons 2022
Melbourne FF 2022
Edinburgh IFF 2022
Toronto IFF 2022
Split FF 2022
CineFest Miskolc IFF 2022
Adana Golden Boll IFF 2022
Cast & Crew
With: Wu Renlin (as Ma Youtie), Hai Qing (as Cao Guiying)
Production company: Qizi Films Limited, Beijing J.Q. Spring Pictures Company Limited, Beijing Alibaba Pictures Culture Co.,Ltd., Dream Media Co.,Ltd., Hucheng No.7 Films Limited, Such a Good Film, Aranya Pictures Co., Ltd., Hangzhou Qin Zi Zai Co., Ltd.
Produced by: Qin Hong
Executive Producer: Zhang Yibai
Producer: Zhang Min, Li Yan
Li Ruijun
Li Ruijun is a Chinese film director and screenwriter. He was born in 1983 in, Gansu China, and graduated from the Communication University of Shanxi. He has directed 5 feature films, all of which tend to focus on the relationship between human beings and the land, as well as the rural attitude towards family, life, and death in a rapidly changing China. His films are predominantly set in his hometown of Gaotai with his close friends and relatives acting in his films.
