END OF SUMMER

西小河的夏天 Xi Xiao He De Xia Tian

 

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A film by ZHOU Quan

2017 – China – Drama – 102'

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SYNOPSIS Xiaoyang, a fifth grader who needs an ally in rebelling against his controlling father finds a perfect match, his neighbor Grandpa Zheng. The two bond over the World Cup fever sweeping China in June 1998 and Grandpa Zheng starts to secretly train Xiaoyang for the school soccer team tryout.

 

The mission takes an unexpected turn when Xiaoyang discovers his father’s romance with his homeroom teacher. At the same time, Grandpa Zheng suffers from the imminent request of reuniting with his own family in a faraway city. Xiaoyang decides to run away with Grandpa Zheng in the hope of staying with his best friend forever.

 

It is a summer of adventure, exploration, and growing pain for three men from three generations. How will Xiaoyang reconcile with his new life, and face the complexities of adolescence?

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