At the Shanghai International Film Festival, Chinese director Zhong Kaifeng debuted his film "Atlantic Rhapsody." Accompanied by producers Wang Tianxiao and Zhengjing, alongside cast members Li Xueqin, Wang Yitong, Yin Fang, and Huang Miyi, Kaifeng participated in a press conference and a post-screening Q&A session. The movie, which takes place in a declining industrial area of Northeast China, follows a young protagonist searching for his father, a small-time schemer who pursued wealth during the capitalist boom of the late 1990s and early 2000s in Southern China. Its narrative unfolds through a series of fragmented memories, intentionally skipping through time to piece together the past.
The film's unique title, "Atlantic Rhapsody," was inspired by the American TV series "Man from Atlantis," which is featured in the movie. Kaifeng explained that the title evokes a romantic sense of the unknown, and its application to a story set in Northeast China creates a deliberate sense of dislocation that enhances the film's dramatic tension. Furthermore, the meticulous sound design plays a crucial role in establishing the film's supernatural undertones. Kaifeng recounted a local news story from the period depicted in the film, where a supermarket accident involving a live shark led to its being cooked and sold, creating a surreal and chaotic atmosphere that influenced the film's auditory elements, particularly the sounds of ocean creatures. This deliberate use of sound reinforces the idea that the narrative is fundamentally about memory, and that supernatural elements are grounded in a well-crafted soundscape.
The cast also shared their experiences during production. Actor Wang Yitong, who portrays the son and is also a credited screenwriter, noted the remarkably low-pressure environment on set. He expressed enjoyment in focusing solely on his acting, a rare and welcome opportunity. Lead actress Li Xueqin, initially apprehensive about discussing the film's complex structure, described her character as a vibrant, electronic music-loving woman from Shenyang with dreams of moving to Berlin, a role that was originally written for a male actor before Kaifeng adapted it for her. Huang Miyi, playing a Japanese manga artist, detailed how her character evolved from North Korean to South Korean before settling on Japanese, and found the director's abstract direction to portray her character as a 'tiger' to be creatively liberating. Yin Fang, who plays the father, viewed his character as a product of his time, a figure whose ambitions were ultimately shaped by historical forces, striving to convey the character's profound losses and regrets. Producer Wang Tianxiao, addressing the film's release, emphasized the importance of finding the right audience, joking that it's better for those who won't appreciate the film to avoid it altogether to prevent negative reviews, reiterating the goal of connecting with viewers who will truly resonate with the work.
Ultimately, "Atlantic Rhapsody" stands as a testament to the power of memory and the intricate interplay of sound and narrative in cinematic storytelling. Through its unique exploration of a specific historical period and its unconventional approach to character development, the film encourages audiences to embrace new perspectives and appreciate the artistry of independent cinema, reminding us that every story has an intended audience waiting to be discovered.
