Kaili Blues

Written and directed by Bi Gan, Kaili Blues follows a small-town doctor as he embarks on a trek to locate his missing nephew. It’s clear immediately that Bi isn’t looking to deliver a straight-forward, narratively-coherent drama here, as Kaili Blues boasts a decidedly poetic sensibility that’s reflected in the non-linear structure and emphasis on ephemeral elements such as memory and time. There’s little doubt, as a result, that the picture is only sporadically engrossing, as the pointedly meandering atmosphere demands a considerable amount of patience from the viewer – with the lackadaisical vibe sporadically allayed by Tianxing Wang’s often eye-catching visuals. This is certainly never more true than in the 41 minute tracking shot that dominates the movie’s midsection, as Tianxing’s camera follows characters through various modes of transportation (including a boat!) as they move about a small village. It’s a heck of a centerpiece for a consistently watchable yet decidedly erratic piece of work, with the end result a fairly promising debut for an undeniably talented new filmmaker.

**1/2 out of ****