22nd New York Asian Film Festival

Jul 14-30, 2023

FilmsGuestsTalks & EventsSchedule & Tickets

Photo: © 2021 [ShenZhen HuaHao Film & Media Co., Ltd.] All rights reserved.

North American Premiere

Empty Nest

空巢

A poignant tale of love, betrayal, and the search for meaning in the twilight years of life, Empty Nest follows Zhao Yimei, an elderly woman who has spent her life nursing the wounds of her husband's betrayal. Estranged from her son and grappling with incontinence, she loses faith in life and contemplates ending it all. Enter Lei Xiaoding, a charismatic healthcare product salesman whose chance encounter with Zhao brings unexpected joy to her life. His humor, diligence, and warmth rekindle her belief in love and happiness. As their bond deepens, Zhao Yimei buys numerous health products from Lei, supporting his dreams of making it big in the city. But Lei's ambitions lead him down a dark path. Empty Nest is a powerful exploration of human connection, fortitude, and the transformative power of love in the face of life's most challenging moments.

Director: Zhang Wei
Cast: Zhu Xijua, Zhang Youhao, Long Gugu, Ma Dongyan, Zhang Hongjie
Languages: Mandarin with English subtitles
2020; 84 min.

SCHEDULE:

Sunday July 23, 3:30pm
Film at Lincoln Center

Intro & Q&A with director Zhang Wei.

Zhang Wei
张唯

Zhang Wei studied directing at the legendary Beijing Film Academy and cinema studies at the Chinese National Academy of Arts. His films consciously examine critical social issues, conveying powerful messages through unassuming storylines. In 2010 he made his directorial debut, Beijing Dream, followed by Shadow Puppetry of One Person (2011). His Factory Boss (2014) was shortlisted in competition at the Montreal International Film Festival and won a Best Actor Award. Ballad From Tibet (2017) won the Best Film Award at the China International Children's Film Festival. In 2018, he won the Kim Jiseok Award at the Busan Film Festival for his controversial film The Rib (NYAFF 2019). The Photographer (2019) was the opening film of the Hainan International Film Festival. In 2020, Empty Nest was nominated for Best Actress at the Golden Rooster Awards, and was released on China’s popular online platform Kuai Shou ,with over 16 million views on the first day. Zhang’s latest film, Redemption With Life, takes on machismo, morality and motorcycles in modern China and makes its world premiere at NYAFF 2023.