More art on the way
Big news for cinema heads: Director Gu You isn't stopping at three. While his latest project, The First Taste of Loneliness, is currently premiering at the Busan International Film Festival, he’s already confirmed that a fourth film is officially in research and development.
Gu, known for his stunning films that mirror the aesthetics of traditional Chinese landscape painting, shared that this next chapter might branch out into new territory. While his previous works have been firmly rooted in the art-house vibe, he’s considering blending in elements of romance, suspense, or even a road-trip dynamic for the fourth installment. "It feels like I’ve only grasped a tiny fragment of the relationship between cinema and landscape," Gu told Variety.
The deep dive
His latest film, The First Taste of Loneliness, stars Zhou Xun, Xi Meijuan, and Wang Shengdi. It centers on three generations of women navigating the aftermath of losing a father. The story hits heavy, exploring how loneliness evolves from a romantic struggle in our younger years to something much deeper—confronting life, death, and family dynamics—after experiencing loss.
Gu’s style is famous for its long, scroll-like takes that mimic classical painting. He’s a total purist, too; he refused to use digital stitching or CGI, insisting that the raw power of the performance comes from capturing reality in real-time. "If I tell them a shot was fabricated with CG, I feel like I’d be cheating them," he noted. Even though he’s lowkey fine with using AI for office admin work, he says when it comes to the art itself, he's keeping it 100% authentic.
Why it matters
Gu is effectively creating a new language for cinema by bridging ancient Chinese philosophy with modern-day dilemmas. By treating the camera like a painter’s brush, he’s proving that you don't need fancy effects to make a cultural impact—just a camera, some real locations, and a lot of patience. It’s giving main character energy for the future of arthouse film.
