When Night Falls
Korea, China / 2012 / 70 min.
Dir. YING Liang
[Introduction]
In 2008 in Shanghai, a young man named YANG Jia killed 6 police officers. News reports claimed his motive was his resentment for the "interrogations" he was subjected to after being arrested on suspicion of stealing a bicycle. YANG was sentenced to death, but as media coverage of his trial was heavily restricted, speculation spread on the internet that the authorities were attempting to cover up unwarranted police violence against a member of the public, and it developed into a social phenomenon. This film is director YING Liang's adaptation of the incident, and it focuses on the plight of YANG's mother who persistently sought a visitation with him. She is played by NAI An, who is also known as the producer of LOU Ye's films. Screened in competition at the Locarno Film Festival, where it won awards for Best Director and Best Actress.
YING Liang
Born in 1977 in Shanghai. Studied film at Beijing Normal University and Chongqing University. Directed short films before making his feature debut with "Taking Father Home" (05), which won a Special Jury Prize at TOKYO FILMeX and went on to be screened at numerous film festivals around the world. His next film "The Other Half" (06) was also awarded a Special Jury Prize at TOKYO FILMeX, and his third film "Good Cats" (08) won a FIPRESCI Prize at the Brisbane International Film Festival. Additionally, his "Condolences" (09) received a Tiger Award for best short film at the International Film Festival Rotterdam.
