The Shadowless Tower

An introspective food critic tentatively slips away from the heavy shadow of his familial past, both near and distant, as he embarks on a flirtatious dalliance with a young, dynamic photographer who also happens to be his collaborator. With enviable directorial mastery, a deep belief in romance, imaginative touches of magical realism, and a landmark used as a reference point in the heart of Beijing – The Shadowless Tower – Zhang Lu sheds light on our unseen existential loops, with the conviction that there is always an escape route from the narrative that insists on defining us. For many, this year’s standout film from Asia goes beyond being an unexpected breath of fresh air in the tired genre of romantic comedy; it serves as an ode to second chances and the genuine value of change, unburdened by the fear of the new shadow that will be cast.