Ji.hlava 2024 Interview: Tsai Ming-liang on Hand-Sculpted Cinema, Breaking the Industry Norms and New Films [Video]

The Taiwanese master of slow cinema, Tsai Ming-liang, received a Contribution to World Cinema award at the largest Czech documentary gathering, Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival. The director has spent decades crafting a distinctive cinematic language that challenges conventional storytelling. His films, celebrated for their meditative pace and evocative imagery, are often more akin to visual poetry than traditional narratives. Yet Tsai’s work transcends mere categorization, existing at the intersection of cinema, performance art, and gallery installations.

In the interview with Screen Anarchy, the director opens up about his connection to Xuanzang, the inspiration behind his Walker series, and the philosophy of “hand-sculpted cinema” that defines his approach. From the tactile authenticity of his minimalist productions to his evolving relationship with technology and unconventional scripts, Tsai Ming-liang reflects on the freedom of breaking away from industry norms.

Screen Anarchy: Why did you choose Xuanzang as the starting point for the …