Jia Zhangke Sets Next Feature ‘Mamma Dunhuang’ Starring Zhao Tao and Liao Fan, Reteaming With MK2 Films (EXCLUSIVE)

Celebrated Chinese filmmaker Jia Zhangke will next direct “Mamma Dunhuang,” reteaming with French production and sales banner MK2 Films.

The latter, spearheaded by Nathanael and Elisha Karmitz, co-produces “Mamma Dunhuang,” in partnership with the director’s Chinese production company Xstream Pictures. It will begin shooting this winter.

“Mamma Dunhuang” tells the story of a mother who has spent most of her life in Dunhuang, a historic city in western China. With the help of artificial intelligence, she embarks on a journey that takes her from western to eastern China.

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The film stars Zhao Tao, winner of the David di Donatello Award for best actress, and Liao Fan, winner of the Silver Bear for best actor at Berlin. Both actors previously collaborated with Zhangke on his 2018 feature “Ash Is Purest White.”

“Jia Zhangke has been developing this project with us for the past two years,” said Nathanaël Karmitz, mk2 Films CEO. “With ‘Mamma Dunhuang,’ he take us deep into the heart of China and into unmapped cinematic territory.”

Zhangke is a leading Chinese auteur whose work has been embraced at film festivals and beyond. He’s attending Cannes this year with “Torino Shadow,” a short that he’s presenting at Cannes Classics alongside MK2 Films. His relationship with MK2 Films spans nearly two decades and multiple Cannes contenders, including “I Wish I Knew” which played at Un Certain Regard; and a string of Palme d’Or contenders: “A Touch of Sin,” which won best screenplay; “Mountains May Depart,” “Ash Is Purest White” and “Caught by the Tides.” The director is back on the Croisette this year with his short “Torino Shadow” which plays at Cannes Classics and is handled by MK2 FIlms.

MK2 Films is at Cannes with 11 features across the official selection, including five in competition: Marie Kreutzer’s “Gentle Monster,” Léa Mysius’ “The Birthday Party,” Andrey Zvyagintsev’s “Minotaur,” Ira Sachs’ “The Man I Love” and Koji Fukada’s “Nagi Notes.”