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THE WATCHMAN

by Lou Du Pontavice, Victoire Bonin

synopsis

The cracks start to appear when a Chinese couple's only son leaves for Estonia to study. Watchman Guang-Dong and his wife Bao-Yan have devoted their lives to their only son, Zhao-Hang. When he leaves China to pursue a music career at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, the couple must confront the emotional void his absence creates. Through phone calls, they try to guide Zhao-Hang from afar, but his journey is shaped by both his deep desire to please his beloved father and his own personal ambition. This universal experience of parents watching their children grow and leave home resonates deeply, capturing the struggle between holding on and letting go. With breathtaking cinematography and a poignant score, this documentary offers an intimate look at cultural adaptation, familial sacrifice, and the evolving dynamics of a father-son bond in the face of separation and change.

international title: The Watchman
original title: Le Veilleur
country: France, Belgium
sales agent: CAT&Docs
year: 2024
genre: documentary
directed by: Lou Du Pontavice, Victoire Bonin
film run: 80'
screenplay: Lou Du Pontavice, Victoire Bonin
cinematography by: Victoire Bonin
music: Camille El Bacha
producer: Lucie Rego, Pauline Tran Van Lieu, Joël Curtz
production: Hutong Productions, CVB

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