VIFF Review: All Ears

Hu Ge is Wen Shan, an obituary writer

Director Liu Jiayin sent a video message before the screening of her film, All Ears. She apologised for not being able to come because of visa issues, but reminisced that her breakout film Oxhide was shown at the Vancouver International Film Festival, and fondly remembered the trees at Stanley Park.

She thanked Vancouver again for seeing All Ears and wryly hoped that everyone could follow along the subtitles.

Wen Shan struggles to figure out his life

It wasn't too hard to do that -- the dialogue is sparse but meaningful, discussing life and death, and how people want to remember loved ones.

Wen Shan is a failed scriptwriter who makes a living as an obituary writer in Beijing, and is a good one at that. His friend works in the funeral home and refers business to him, and from there has had many people hire him for his literary skills.

After he's written one about a deceased brother, we viewers find out what his work is like -- one sibling will relate their view of events which contradicts another. But in the end, the obituary Wen Shan writes reveals the brother in the best possible light, which is what every family wants to do for the most part.

Another is a businessman whose father has passed but has barely anything to say about him because he barely spent any time with him which is telling, and may represent today's China where some people are so driven to make money that they don't care much about anything else. 

He helps others process the deaths of loved ones

Interestingly the businessman's nine-year-old son has something to contribute to the obituary, a hint to his own father.

Meanwhile, Wen Shan struggles to figure out his own life, nearing 40 years of age and seeing his peers move on and get good jobs, leaving him behind, living on his own in a sparse apartment. He can't admit to his parents what is really going on and finds solace hanging out in the zoo.

He also seems to have a younger man as a roommate, but he turns out to be a character Wen Shan has created, but has been stuck on developing his story.

All Ears is a contemplative look at life, death, how to live one's life and legacy. Director Liu also explained in her video message that she hadn't made films for 10 years and was facing internal struggles in that time, much like the main character. While it is not autobiographical, it is universal. 

All Ears

Directed by Liu Jiayin

Stars Hu Ge, Wu Lei, Xi Qi

112 minutes