A Dog Barking at the Moon

'A Dog Barking at the Moon' marks Xiang Zi's film debut. Filmed entirely in China and edited in Spain to avoid Chinese government censorship, the film had its premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival without the consent of the Asian authorities, and is banned in China, where Its projection is prohibited. Recognized with the 2019 Teddy Award for best LGBT film, the work immerses itself in a scenario that oscillates between the past and the future, adopting a theatrical approach to unreservedly address Chinese society in a constant b>debate between traditionalism and the recognition of individual rights.

The plot follows the story of the Tao family in China, centered on Li Jiumei (Renhua Na), the wife, and Huang Xiaoyu (Gaowa Siqin), who returns from the United States to visit her parents before giving birth. Accompanied by her husband Benjamin (Thomas Fiquet), the only foreigner in the film, Xiaoyu's return awakens not only memories and wounds, but also conflicts, as the youngest Tao returns with new ideas that challenge authoritarianism. of the single party and advocate for individual recognition, confronting the norms imposed by society and the government.

In this co-production between China and Spain, Acorn Studio and Granadian, the Spanish producer and director of photography José Val Bal plays a fundamental role. Although the film was edited entirely in Spain, it is not classified as a Spanish production because 75% of its crew is not Spanish. Filmed in Beijing in 2018, 'A Dog Barking at the Moon' stands out for its bravery in tackling sensitive topics and its cinematic approach that transcends borders.