Jia Zhang-ke's latest short film, 'Torino Shadow,' featured at Cannes, examines cinema through the eyes of an audience member, contrasting it with modern AI filmmaking.
Cinematic Inspiration from Turin
The concept for 'Torino Shadow' emerged during Jia's visits to the Museo Nazionale del Cinema in Turin, where he absorbed the museum's atmosphere as a film lover rather than a filmmaker. This experience inspired the 32-minute short, which is being handled by mk2 films for world sales.
Jia's film juxtaposes locations in Taishan, Guangdong province, and Turin, Italy, drawing on the historical connection of architecture brought back by Chinese emigrants from San Francisco. This parallel forms the film's core theme, emphasizing shared human experiences over cultural differences.
Shadow Puppetry and Cinema's Evolution
'Torino Shadow' highlights shadow puppetry as a symbol of cinema's evolution, tracing the technological advancements from early curiosities to contemporary moving images. Jia sees this history as a testament to humanity's enduring desire to express emotions through visual media.
The film incorporates a sequence from Nanni Moretti's 'Caro Diario,' aligning with Jia's vision of a continuous cinematic lineage. Amidst concerns over shrinking cinema audiences, Jia's film argues for the necessity of traditional cinema, urging viewers to appreciate its aesthetic and philosophical pleasures.
AI in Filmmaking and Future Projects
Jia has experimented with AI filmmaking, particularly around the Lunar New Year, using AI image-generation tools. He approaches this technology with caution, recognizing its limitations in creativity compared to collaborative traditional filmmaking. Jia cites Stefan Zweig's concept of 'starry hours' to describe the unique, collective magic of traditional film production.
However, Jia sees AI's potential not in replicating live-action cinema but in creating fantastical elements beyond the reach of cameras, such as imaginary plants and flowers.
Upcoming Projects and Unknown Pleasures
Jia's upcoming feature film has been delayed, with production now expected to start post-Pingyao International Film Festival. Although the title remains under wraps, Jia's distribution label, Unknown Pleasures, continues to grow. The label has acquired Rafael Manuel's 'Filipinana,' and plans to engage in future projects with Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Miguel Gomes.
Source: https://variety.com/2026/film/festivals/jia-zhang-ke-torino-shadow-interview-cannes-1236750770/
