One Second

23rd feature film directed by Zhang Yimou. Initially, the film was selected to compete for the Golden Bear at the 69th Berlin International Film Festival. However, it was withdrawn shortly before the screening and the official explanation for the withdrawal is "technical difficulties encountered during post-production", although it was revealed that, in fact, it was an exercise in political censorship on the part of the Chinese communist regime. With a new editing and censored version, the film premiered in November 2020 in China and was the opening film in the Official Selection at the 69th San Sebastián International Film Festival and was the closure film at 2021 Toronto Film Festival.

Written by Zhang and Zou Jingzhi, a regular Zhang's collaborator, 'One Second' is based on the novel with the same title written by Geling Yan. In 1969, during Cultural Revolution, Zhang Jiusheng (Zhang Yi) was arrested for belonging to a rebel organization against the Regime and he was sent to a concentration labor camp in northwest China. Six years later, in 1975, thanks to his ingenuity, Zhang escapes and becomes a fugitive. His objective is to be able to see his daughter, who has been recorded in one of the news that are part of the newsletter that is seen before the film projection. Knowing this, the fugitive seeks to find the celluloid tapes where the news is and thus be able to see his daughter, who had to deny him along with her mother to avoid reprisals from the communist dictatorship.

In search of film, the fugitive meets an orphan, Liu (Liu Haocun), who also wants to get the film tapes, although for different reasons. Eventually, the celluloid reels will become a prized item to be found and will cause Zhang and Liu to form an unexpected friendship.