Return to Dust

Drama | CHinese | 133 min

Tender tale on the transformative nature of love.

Humble, unassuming Ma and timid Cao have been cast off by their families and forced into an arranged marriage. They have to combine their strength and build a home to survive. In the face of much adversity, an unexpected bond begins to blossom, as both Ma and Cao, uniting with Earth’s cycles, create a haven for themselves in which they can thrive.

DIRECTOR Li Ruijun
WRITER Li Ruijun
CAST Wu Renlin, Hai Qing
COUNTRY OF PRODUCTION China

 

“a gorgeous, quietly affecting film that finds an
unassuming beauty in this simple life”
★★★★

— THE OBSERVER

 

“rural Chinese love story hums with emotional truth”
★★★★

— FINANCIAL TIMES

 

"an elegiac love story"
★★★★

— LITTLE WHITE LIES

 

"Such sensorial imagery beautifully evokes a
quietly profound connection to the land against all odds"
★★★★

— THE GUARDIAN

 

“tender, understated scenes”
★★★★

— THE TIMES

 

"a meditative experience"
★★★★★

— EASTERN KICKS

 

FESTIVALS + AWARDS

 

2022 Berlinale
Official Competition

2022 Toronto International Film Festival
Official Selection

2022 Edinburgh International Film Festival
Official Selection

2022 Karlovy Vary Film International Festival
Official Selection

Far East Film Festival 2022
Winner - Black Dragon Audience Award