Nighttime Sounds

Nighttime Sounds
Directed byZhang Zhongchen
Written by
Produced byChen Kunyang
Starring
  • Chen Halin
  • Li Yanxi
  • Gu Hanru
CinematographyChang Reagon
Edited by
  • Zhang Zhongchen
  • Huang Bingjie
Music byChen Retoy
Production
company
Beijing San Yue Culture Media Co.
Distributed byHKIFF Collection
Release date
  • 2025 (2025)
Running time
88 minutes
Languagecn

Nighttime Sounds (你的眼睛比太阳明亮, Nǐ de yǎnjīng bǐ tàiyáng míngliàng, lit. Your eyes are brighter than the sun) is a 2025 film by Chinese director Zhang Zhongchen. It premiered at the San Sebastián International Film Festival in September.[1]

Synopsis

The film is set in Maozhuang Village and follows a girl named Qing and her mother. One day, Qing meets a pale boy looking for his own lost mother, after which the two set out trying to find her.[1]

Critical reception

For Nighttime Sounds, Zhang won a best director award in the Fei Mu, or emerging filmmakers category, of the Pingyao International Film Festival.[2]

The Film Verdict called the film an "engrossing magical realist tale from the Chinese hinterlands" with "An arty, expressive mix of social realism and the metaphysical."[3]

Screendaily called the film a "Confident, lyrical drama."[4]

References

  1. ^ a b Brzeski, Patrick (2025-09-19). "Busan Hidden Gem: Zhang Zhongchen On His Journey from Factory Floor to Festival Red Carpet with 'Nighttime Sounds'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  2. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (2025-09-29). "'Deep Quiet Room,' 'The President's Cake' Take Top Prizes at Pingyao Film Festival". Variety. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  3. ^ "Nighttime Sounds - The Film Verdict". 2025-09-27. Retrieved 2025-12-22.
  4. ^ Kerr, Elizabeth. "'Nighttime Sounds' review: Confident, lyrical drama focuses on marginalised women in rural China". Screen. Retrieved 2025-12-22.