Celebrated Chinese filmmaker Jia Zhangke will next direct “Mamma Dunhuang,” reteaming with French production and sales banner MK2 Films.
The latter, spearheaded by Nathanael and Elisha Karmitz, co-produces “Mamma Dunhuang,” in partnership with the director’s Chinese production company Xstream Pictures. It will begin shooting this winter.
“Mamma Dunhuang” tells the story of a mother who has spent most of her life in Dunhuang, a historic city in western China. With the help of artificial intelligence, she embarks on a journey that takes her from western to eastern China.
The film stars Zhao Tao, winner of the David di Donatello Award for best actress, and Liao Fan, winner of the Silver Bear for best actor at Berlin. Both actors previously collaborated with Zhangke on his 2018 feature “Ash Is Purest White.”
“Jia Zhangke has been developing this project with us for the past two years,” said Nathanaël Karmitz, mk2 Films CEO. “With ‘Mamma Dunhuang,’ he take us deep into the heart of China and into unmapped cinematic territory.”
