Republic

Republic

Jin Jiang • 2023

Duration: 01:46:15
Language: Mandarin, English
Subtitles: Chinese, English
Country/Region: Mainland China

The film centers on Li Eryang, who dreams of realizing his vision of “communism” within a room smaller than five square meters. In this confined space, he imagines building a miniature “Republic” for his so-called “cosmic brothers,” turning personal belief into a concrete, everyday practice.

AWARDS & FESTIVALS

DMZ Excellent Project

DMZ International Documentary Film Festival Industry

South Korea

2021

Spotlight Award

International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam

Netherlands

2021

BIFF Mecenat Award

Busan International Film Festival

South Korea

2023

Berlin International Film Festival

Germany

2024

MoMA Doc Fortnight: International Festival of Nonfiction Film and Media

United States

2024

Cinéma du Réel International Documentary Film Festival

France

2024

Docaviv International Documentary Film Festival

Israel

2024

Cartagena International Film Festival

Colombia

2024

INSTAR Film Festival

Multiple Countries

2024

Image Forum Festival

Japan

2024

Tokyo Documentary Film Festival

Japan

2024

Montreal International Documentary Festival

Canada

2024

Tokyo International Short Film Festival

Japan

2024

State International Film Festival

New York Tri

United States

2024

Black Movie Film Festival

Switzerland

2025

Retours: Festival of Chinese Auteur Cinema

Allers

France

2025

Ann Arbor Film Festival

United States

2025

el ojO cojo International Film Festival

Spain

2025

DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT

Jin Jiang

Jin Jiang

Director

In the film, Er Yang and the friends drifting through “Republic” live recklessly, burning their lives like moths drawn to a flame—an embodiment of our collective imagination of youth. Their mixed beliefs—agnosticism, theism, communism, and an imitation of hippie culture—emerge from the dislocations caused by China’s rapid economic growth. Improved education and material abundance create an illusion of prosperity, while urbanization, industrialization, and consumerism steadily erode the inner world. Amid rising nationalist discourse, feelings of loneliness, emptiness, and loss take shape, and “Republic” becomes a temporary refuge from overwhelming social pressure.

TRAILER

Republic - TRAILER

FILM STILLS