Movie Digest
Kun is a good sound recordist who is fed up with his final year of film school and is looking for anything more. He does dead-end jobs, slacks in class, and conflicts with his partner frequently. Kun joins a student production and starts on a voyage of self-discovery across China’s rich, varied environment with his freshly acquired driver’s license, an old second-hand Jeep, and his best friend in tow.
The Feel-Good Part
The movie does an excellent job of documenting change and societal trends in China. The landscapes are aesthetically pleasing.
The Disappointing Factor
The film is not creative, and it lacks charming traits, which makes it a chore to sit through.
In-Depth Analysis
Striding Into the Wind is a kind of picture that defies easy categorization, serving as an equal parts road movie, coming-of-age drama, existential character study, and meditation on the film industry. One thing is sure that it feels autobiographical of Shujun Wei, the director himself. Though the film is anecdotal and meandering, it rings entirely true throughout. Wei being very observant of the everyday life of the younger generation in Beijing, brought various issues to light, including their insecurities, hopes for the future, financial concerns, their interactions with one another, and the changing culture of their nation. The slow pace suits the subject and allows some strange and seemingly serendipitous moments to arise. It is a pleasant film, and it is difficult to go wrong with a road trip film, especially one as well-acted and shot as this one. This film’s presentation is realistic, and it includes a reference to the filming process, which is far from glamorous in reality.
Star Power
The acting skills in the film by the cast are top-notch. Zhou You, who got the role of Kun, gave a strong and astute performance.
Overall Opinion
The concept of the film is different yet familiar to all. This film might not be everyone’s cup of tea!
