THE LAST YEAR OF DARKNESS

Hidden from authorities in underground party spaces, our characters find a sense of personal freedom in Chengdu, creating their own strange world in the context of “communist China.” They are free in the sense that every night, they embark on adventures with unpredictable consequences. They take chances, make mistakes, and sometimes learn from their experiences. Each character is searching for answers to life’s questions, and the city’s unique circumstances give our protagonists the emotional space to figure it out. This film exemplifies the definitions and challenges of personal identity and cultural/political freedom through the fears and hopes of young people in contemporary China.