Swimming Out Till the Sea Turns Blue

Jia Zhangke chronicles a poignant oral history of three esteemed Chinese writers – Jia Pingwa, Yu Hua, and Liang Hong – as they converge on their hometown in Shanxi province for a literary festival he organized in 2019. Over 18 chapters, the filmmakers delve into the lives of these modern Chinese literati, tracing the changes China has undergone since their births in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. Through reflective conversations with the authors, the film offers a nuanced exploration of China's history and its impact on the writers' work.