Watch Taking Father Home

Taking Father Home is a Chinese drama directed by Ying Liang, featuring Xu Yun, Liu Xiaopei, Wang Jie, and Song Cijun in the lead roles. The movie depicts the story of a young Chinese boy named Zhao, who lives in a small rural town with his mother and mentally ill father. As the movie begins, Zhao returns home from school to discover that his father has disappeared. Concerned for his well-being, the boy sets off on a journey to find him, carrying a small lantern and a photograph of his father as his only clues. Zhao's quest takes him to the city of Chongqing, where he meets a variety of people, most of whom are not willing to help him.

Zhao's mission soon runs into difficulties. Despite his earnest pleas, the police are not interested in helping him and treat him with suspicion. The young boy is left on his own to navigate the busy streets of Chongqing, with no idea of where his father might be. He tries to find his father's former colleagues and acquaintances, but nobody seems to know where he could be.

As the days go by and Zhao's search becomes more desperate, he falls into the hands of unscrupulous individuals who exploit his innocence and honesty for their own gain. In one particularly distressing scene, he is taken in by a gang of pickpockets, who make him steal money from unsuspecting people on the streets.

Despite the hardships that he faces, Zhao remains determined to find his father. His unwavering love and devotion to his father is the driving force behind his quest. Zhao's journey also brings him in contact with a number of kind-hearted individuals who show him warmth and compassion. One such person is Liu, a young man who lives a nomadic life, sleeping in public parks and surviving on the scraps of food he can forage.

One of the most striking features of Taking Father Home is its depiction of urban China. The movie unflinchingly portrays the harsh realities of life for those who are forced to exist on the margins of society. Director Ying Liang's camera lingers on the bustling streets of Chongqing, capturing the sights and sounds of a city that is at once vibrant and chaotic.

In many ways, Zhao's journey is a metaphor for the search for identity in a rapidly changing society. As he moves through different parts of the city, he encounters people from different walks of life, each with their own set of struggles and challenges. The boy's quest to find his father becomes a journey of self-discovery, as he learns about the world and his place in it.

The acting in Taking Father Home is uniformly excellent. Xu Yun portrays Zhao with a remarkable sensitivity and depth, conveying the boy's vulnerability and resilience in equal measure. Liu Xiaopei delivers a standout performance as Liu, infusing his character with a quiet intensity and a sense of melancholy.

Overall, Taking Father Home is a deeply moving and thought-provoking film that offers a poignant commentary on contemporary China. Through the eyes of a young boy, the movie offers a powerful meditation on love, loss, and the complexities of the human experience.