to mare moscoviense

coming soon 2025

drama / arthouse
dir. zhou xing / hebei & beijing, china / 18 min.

writer / director - zhou xing
executive producer - lili xu
producer - ziyi jin

director of photography - xun he
1st assistant director - liuyang zhu
editor - reya hua
production designer - peishan huang
sound designer / music - siyang shen

synopsis: set in the late 1980s in a chinese rural town, a mother and son’s relationship is defined by silence and a mutual inability to reach out to each other. on one sweltering summer afternoon, a transformative encounter with cinema sets the son on a surreal journey that leads him to a rare moment of shared empathy with his mother.

inspiration: the film is inspired by zhou's deep reflection on his own upbringing, especially his childhood and early relationships, which delves into the trials and tribulations. it’s a meditation on the passage of time and how our younger selves continue to shape who we become, exploring themes of growth, loss, and reconciliation with self.