A Time in Quchi

When Bao is sent to his grandfather's house for the summer, he's not exactly pleased. The countryside seems like another planet compared to the city, and, worst of all, there's no cable TV. As he spends the hours with his face glued to a tablet screen, the beauty and adventure surrounding him go unnoticed. His parents, who are in the midst of a divorce, placed him and his little sister with their grandpa, hoping to spare them from seeing the messy side of a breakup. However, they've also neglected to notice how any of it has affected their kids, particularly their apathetic son. As the summer unfolds, Bao is forced to step outside of his comfort zone, trading technology for real life friendships and human interaction. He'll also have to face loss head on, a harrowing experience that will forever change him. In the course of one summer, Bao will grow up. Chang Tso-chi finds the perfect balance in A TIME IN QUCHI. It's tender, but never mawkish; visually arresting, yet still maintaining the right level of rawness. Note: Recommended for pre-teens and older. (In Mandarin and Taiwanese with subtitles) —E.F.