Synopsis
Jin, an aged mom living alone in a village, has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. After knowing this bad news, her daughter Jenny, who runs an overseas education consultant in Shanghai and is suffering from her second divorce, insists to find the best treatment for Jin. However, Jenny’s younger brother Qing, who works as a tourist guide, believes what is going to happen will eventually happen and encourages the family to embrace this harsh reality. Accompanied by families, Jin spends rest of her life to find her “destination” spiritually. Meanwhile, Jenny and Qing realize they should think over the relationship between themselves and homeland. The story has been narrated poetically with authentic portraying each character. Time flies, things change, but the village is always staying alongside the river and witnessing all the farewells.
Chen Xiaoyu
Chen Xiaoyu is a director, scriptwriter and editor. He studied Film Production at Toronto Film School and began to work in the film industry since 2011. Before completing his debut feature GONE WITH THE BOAT, Xiaoyu made documentary film LET'S GO!, LAKESIDE LIFE and THE WAVES. His works won the best script writer in Shanghai International Film Festival Asian New Talent Competition, and have been selected into the CFDG's Young Director Support Program Top 10, Golden Rooster Films Project, Yunnan Multi Culture Visual Festival, Phoenix Documentary Awards and China Independent Film Festival etc.
Director's statement
This is a family movie about finding a sense of belonging. The river once connected every village here, and every household had a small boat. People used boats to transport heavy goods, get married on board, and travel far. The boat carries the past way of life. In the current era of upheaval and rural changes, wanderers have to re-explore their relationship with their hometown.
