Gold Life (HKAFF)

At 40, is a woman just entering the prime of her life, or is her fate already sealed? Zhang Xin is about to complete her PhD, yet she finds herself torn between being a good mother and pursuing her ambition. She wants her child to grow up close to nature, but has to give up a teaching position in the city. Independent filmmaker Zhang Xin wrote, directed and starred in this film using a mockumentary style, weaving her own experiences into the script, enlisting non-professional actors and allowing improvisation to capture the essence of real life.

Best Narrative Feature, FIRST International Film Festival