A Memory of Summer

Story

China finished school some time ago, but hasn’t yet made the jump away from his home village. He would love to study art in Beijing, but he’s already failed the entrance test several times. So he passes the days of summer at home, drinking beer and listening to music with his schoolmate, the small-time criminal Zhihua. The further the summer progresses, the worse China’s prospects appear – something has to change. Based on the memories of his own youth, Tao Huaqiao has created a melancholy coming-of-age story, that gives a face to a Chinese generation without orientation. This film is part of the special series “Chinese Independent Cinema”.

Director

Tao Huaqiao (1981*) studied at the Chinese art academy in Beijing, graduating in 2009. His first film, the documentary Arhat (2009) won numerous prizes. A Memory Summer is his debut feature.