There have been only a few Chinese language drama movies I’ve seen in recent years, many of which adhere to a similar form of filmmaking. However, there have also been some that have crafted stories in new, intriguing ways, often relying on visual experimentation instead of the cookie-cutter focus on direct plot and character crafting. This is where Caught by the Tides

comes in, a drama directed by Jia Zhangke that he co-wrote with Wan Jiahuan, telling a compelling story of two people over decades.

Beginning in 2001, the film follows Qiao Qiao (Zhao Tao), a woman who is working multiple jobs to get by. She begins a relationship with her manager, Bin (Li Zhubin), who is pursuing his own path in an attempt to make money. What follows is a story stylized through Qiao Qiao’s work in various singing and dancing roles, as well as the quieter pursuits of Bin, as both try to earn a living in 21st century China. The depths of their relationship become reflected not only in their development but in the visual language of the movie’s presentation.

Caught By The Tides Is Elevated By The Decades Of Filmmaking Behind It

The Movie’s Experimental Decisions Make It All The More Impressive

While Caught by the Tides tells the story of Qiao Qiao and Bin, the majority of footage actually consists of scenes sH๏τ by Jia during the time periods shown in the movie. The footage was gathered over 22 years as the filmmaker was working on other projects, and includes both scenes and outtakes from his prior movies — Unknown Pleasures, Still Life, and Ash Is Purest White. Because of this, Zhao and Li age in real time, the movie’s long production time giving its characters a unique visual lifespan on the screen.

This approach is furthered by the focus of the visuals themselves, offering a truthful authenticity to Qiao Qiao and Bin’s story. While the pair isn’t directly characterized because of the film’s structure, their interactions across time offer a strong impression as to the evolution of their relationship. The performances by both actors are perfect, saying just enough about their romance to showcase how it changes over time, while also saying very little directly. It’s a perfect blend of moments that don’t fully coalesce into a story of cohesion.

However, this works to the film’s benefit, as it adds a layer of mystique to the story as it unfolds. This is especially apparent in the general quality of everything being presented; some parts of the movie are recorded in a grainy 3:4 aspect ratio, while others are in 16:9 colorful HD. Because these elements pertain to both the time period being presented and when the movie was filmed, it emphasizes the technique behind the production as the most important element stringing everything together.

What Caught By The Tides Lacks In Character It Makes Up For In Presentation

Difficulties Getting Attached To The Leads Didn’t End Up Being A Problem

With this experimental presentation, however, came some difficulties in getting attached to the main characters. While I was able to follow along as to what Qiao Qiao and Bin were doing in their years together, the movie felt removed from the pair as characters. Instead, they felt like distant subjects of a documentary, their lives simply displayed for us to watch unfold. This may have added to the realism, but it also made some elements drag, given the lack of any concrete connection to either character.

Even so, the presentation of the romantic drama film makes up for the characterization, bolstered by showcasing the progression of their time together through the way the film moves forward. There’s a slow deliberation surrounding much of what transpires, adding levels of tension as the years spiral away from the pairing. It also weaves into elements of China’s history, too, especially as the story starts nearing the present day. It’s a tale told through a long time that is ultimately held up thanks to its encouragingly unique display of footage, new and old.

Although characterization often takes a backseat to storytelling and visual flair, Caught by the Tides offers a strong, memorable tale of two people’s difficult relationship across two decades. It’s a complicated analysis of humanity, captured using footage that spans decades, but still manages to be strung together into an impressively comprehensive story. It offered me yet another impressive Chinese film that I’ve seen in recent years, this time boldly encompᴀssing its varied elements in uniquely universal ways.

Caught by the Tides is now playing in select theaters.