Masterclass: JIA Zhangke

Turning Ordinary Lives into the Memory of an Era

Few filmmakers have shaped contemporary Chinese cinema as profoundly as JIA Zhangke. Known for his understated realism, he has spent decades capturing lives in a changing China with quiet precision. From Pickpocket (Xiao Wu) and Platform to Still Life, he turns everyday stories into films that resonate with audiences worldwide. Though set on Chinese streets and rooted in local communities, his work captures something universal — the experience of change.

A regular presence at Venice, Cannes and Berlin, JIA continues to bring a distinctive voice to international audiences. This Masterclass will explore his creative philosophy — how close observation becomes narrative, and how restraint shapes emotion on screen.