An Elephant Sitting Still (2018) is the astonishing, nearly four‑hour debut and final film from Hu Bo, a meditative portrait of lives weighed down by despair and yearning in a decaying northern Chinese city.

Over the course of one day, four strangers, a boy on the run from a school tragedy, a disillusioned gang member, a troubled schoolgirl, and an aging pensioner pushed from his home, find their paths colliding as each clings to the distant rumour of an elephant that sits immobile in Manzhouli, a mythical symbol of escape and stillness.

Shot in long, unflinching takes with empathetic performances and a haunting atmosphere, this epic of resignation and endurance stands as one of modern cinema’s most powerful examinations of suffering and resilience.

Film Studies: Chinese Cinema

Running from 29 April - 24 June, this Film Studies season explores the richness and diversity of Chinese cinemas across Hong Kong and mainland China. Tickets are £12 (£10), or just £6 with a free CINE26 membership. For the best value, choose a pass: £80 (£65).

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Director HuBo
Year 2018
Duration 3h 54m
Language Mandarin
Cast Peng Yuchang, Zhang Yu, Wang Yuwen, Liu Congxi