Director Zhong Kaifeng Discusses Memory and Sound in ‘Atlantic Rhapsody’ at Shanghai Film Festival

Director Zhong Kaifeng discussed his debut feature film, "Atlantic Rhapsody," at the Shanghai International Film Festival on June 15, 2024. The film, which competed in the festival's main competition, is set in a declining industrial city in Northeast China and explores themes of memory and sound. Zhong was joined at the press conference and post-screening Q&A by producers Wang Tianxiao and Zhengjing, as well as cast members Li Xueqin, Wang Yitong, Yin Fang, and Huang Miyi. The narrative follows a group of young people navigating their lives and relationships within this specific socio-economic landscape. Zhong emphasized the importance of auditory elements in conveying the atmosphere and emotional weight of the story, aiming to immerse the audience in the characters' experiences. The film's setting in a post-industrial environment was chosen to reflect a sense of nostalgia and the lingering impact of past economic shifts on present-day communities. "Atlantic Rhapsody" marks Zhong's first full-length directorial effort, following his previous short films. The participation in the Shanghai International Film Festival provides a significant platform for the emerging director and his work to gain international recognition.