Film details

Synopsis

A mysterious forest in early fall echoes with birdsong and the sound of a river. Fallen leaves speckle gold on the blue stones. Two weary travellers make their way on foot – the painter Meng Huang and writer Ma Jian. When, as if after a long journey, they finally reach a cabin, they eat and drink, but the mood is not one of contentment. Their gaze is dark, haunted by memories of the China they have fled: persecution, resistance and the treatment meted out to those who fight for human rights. With the forest arousing painful thoughts and existential considerations, they talk about art. For the two artists, whose world view has been upended by the Tiananmen Square massacre, creation offers an answer to oppression and lies. But what kind of life remains for the exiles?

Crew

Writing : Jean-François Lesage

Cinematography : Etienne Roussy

Sound recording : Marie-Andrée Cormier

Production design : Caroline Alder

Editing : Mathieu Bouchard-Malo, Ariane Pétel-Despots

Sound design : Marie-Pierre Grenier

Sound mix : Bernard Gariepy Strobl
Color grading : Sylvain Cossette

Director's statement

I lived in China for six years, from 1998 to 2004. When I get nostalgic about that period of my life, I remember the evenings spent sharing a meal with Chinese artists, talking into the wee hours of the morning and reimagining the world. Among Mountains and Streams recreates such a space for dialogue, this time for two major artists living in exile. Their conversation, during forest walks, is swept along by numerous currents. It moves from the depth of Chinese culture to the painful subject of human rights violations in the country. The forest gradually becomes a space for the right to think, and their words activate visions of dissent and wonder.

Direction

Jean-François Lesage

After studying law, Jean-François Lesage became a television journalist in Western Canada, then moved to Beijing, where he shot his first film, Sweet Nights Sour Nights. Since returning to Quebec, he has directed A Mile End Tale, as well as The Hidden River and A Summer Love, both of which won awards at the RIDM. In 2020, his feature Prayer for a Lost Mitten won Best Canadian Documentary at Hot Docs.

 

Filmography

AMONG MOUNTAINSAND STREAMS, 98 min, Documentary, 2024

PRAYOR FOR A LOST MITTEN, 79 min, Documentary, 2021

THE HIDDEN RIVER, 75min, Documentary, 2017

A SUMMER LOVE, 62 min, Documentary, 2015
A MILE END TALE, 68 min, Documentary, 2013
HOW CAN YOU TELL IF THE LITTLE FISH ARE HAPPY?, 100 min, Documentary, 2009
SWEET NIGHTS SOUR NIGHTS, 52 min, Documentary, 2004