Chinese Mainland Film Panorama 2026: "Escape from the 21st Century"

Director & Screenwriter: Li Yang Cinematographer: Saba Mazloum Cast: Zhang Ruoyun, Zhong Chuxi, Song Yang, Wu Xiaoliang Produced by Beijing Scity Films Co., Ltd., Beijing Enlight Pictures Co., Ltd., Huanxi Media Group Limited (Beijing) 2024 | Colour | 98′ In Putonghua with Chinese and English subtitles New Director of Media Focus, China Movie Channel Media Focus Unit, The 27th Shanghai International Film Festival Best Debut Film, Golden Deer Awards, The 20th China Changchun Film Festival Three high school students gain the power of time travel, embarking on an adventure of action, passion and brotherhood. The film stands out for its dazzling visual styles—a sneeze sends them twenty years forward, while fight scenes suddenly burst into animation, vividly capturing their wild adolescent imagination. Each character embodies a familiar struggle of growing up: resisting maturity, hiding vulnerability, or losing identity through imitation—mirrors everyone. Director Li Yang’s signature blend of striking visuals, emotional intensity, and imaginative storytelling runs throughout his work, from Lee’s Adventures and the short Bad Future to his latest, Escape from the 21st Century. Post-screening Talk (In Cantonese) 17. 10. 2026 (Sat) Cinema, Hong Kong Film Archive Speaker: Polly Yeung Limited Seats available for post-screening talk. Ticket holders of the screening with post-screening talk will be admitted with priority. Remaining seats will be opened on a first-come, first-served basis. Audiences are welcome to queue up at 1/F, Hong Kong Film Archive 15 minutes before the talk begins.