Synopsis

When seventeen-year-old girl Luo Man discovers that she is pregnant, she asks her best friend Kiki to accompany her to complete an abortion in a illegal clinic, but because of the high cost of the operation, Luo Man puts Kiki in a debt of gratitude.

Curator’s Note

It is a story about the emotional and physical trauma of a young woman. Via platforms like film festivals, voices have to be heard. The story reminds me of the 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days by Cristian Mungiu. The quality of the film itself is obviously not flawless, but we need films like this. (Peize Li)

Director’s bio

Zhang Ruqiao is an emerging filmmaker who graduated from the Central Academy of Fine Arts. Her graduation project has garnered attention on the international stage.

She clinched the Best First Time Director award at the London Independent Film Awards (IMDb-qualifying) and the Best Director award at the Chicago Women Film Festival (IMDb-qualifying). In the Rome Prisma Film Awards (IMDb-qualifying), she stood out as the winner of Best of Fest, Best Short Film, and Best Director. Additionally, she received recognition as the Best Woman Film-maker at the Sweden Film Awards and Best First Time Filmmaker at the Swedish International Film Festival.

Zhang Ruqiao's films focus on narratives related to women, injecting a fresh vibrancy into the film industry.

Director’s Note

The inspiration for my film ”Summer Past” roots from a real-life story shared by a close friend. It revolves around the tumultuous journey of a young girl, a tale of her coming-of-age amid the turbulent tides of life. Inevitably, life throws its share of challenges at us, and in order to move forward, each of us must pay a price - a price that often involves harsh lessons, growth, and maturation. These paths of growth are not always idyllic; they can be raw and, at times, downright brutal.

Beyond this, the film also explores the unique challenges that young women may encounter in their lives. It delves into the complexities of their experiences and the particular obstacles they face, all while illuminating the profound bonds of friendship that can emerge amidst adversity.

Festival & Awards

Casts

Yue Cheng, Lian Chen, Haishan Li, Haijiao Wang

Credits

Assistant Director: Mengning Yuan

Director of Photography: Ao Sun

Sound Supervisor: Yi Xu, Bowen Xue

Production Manager: Yaoyu Zhang

Editor: Ruqiao Zhang, Yurun Cao