She Sat There Like All Ordinary Ones

Kai shi de qiang

TIFF65: Greek Premiere

On their first encounter, late bloomer Zhuang accidentally takes the blame for the theft of a starting gun by schoolmate and distance runner Meng. Just before they get to know each other better, she suddenly gives him the cold shoulder. In his confusion, Zhuang decides to join Meng’s track team despite risking his studies. With academic pressure added to the puzzles of adolescence, Zhuang bides his time for his coming-of-age declaration…

Screening Schedule

No physical screenings scheduled.

Direction: Youjia Qu

Script: Youjia Qu

Cinematography: Qing Lv

Editing: Siqi Shan

Sound: Li Danfeng

Music: Siyang Chen

Actors: Zhang Taiwen, Miao Jijun, Xu Haipeng, Yang Houyao, Jiang Zhongwei, Fu Hanyu

Production: Beijing Booy Media

Producers: Meng Xie, Xianjian Wu

Costumes: Yimeng Xu

Production Design: Yao Xu

Format: DCP

Color: Color

Production Country: China

Production Year: 2024

Duration: 107'

Contact: Rediance

Awards/Distinctions: Crystal Bear (Special Mention at Generation 14plus) – Berlinale 2024

Suitable for kids over the age of 15.

Youjia Qu

Filmmaker and photographer Youjia Qu graduated from Beijing Film Academy and the Rhode Island School of Design. His debut short film Meijing (2017) won several awards including the Night Award at Signes de Nuit, Best Fiction Film at Chongqing Youth Film Festival, and Best Film at Stars Hollywood Festival. His second film Together Apart (2019) was awarded Best Short Film at FIRST Film Festival Xining, selected in IFFR Bright Future Mid-length competition. His feature project Lava was selected for Busan Asian Project Market and Berlinale Co-Production Market. She Sat There Like All Ordinary Ones (2024) is his first feature film.