Míng tian bi zuo tian chang jiu

Tomorrow Is a Long Time
“The flower on the ground is never coming back. The rain is ruthless, it doesn’t think about my future.”

Acts of violence bring regret and repercussions for widowed pest exterminator Chua and his son Meng. But control over their lives is not a familiar feeling for either of them. The dense cityscape of Singapore hems them in their precarious existence, offering little tenderness or space to breathe freely. His father’s long shifts of gruelling work for a thankless employer coupled with his grandmother’s advancing illness have left Meng isolated, and susceptible to being pressured into joining ranks with a group of bullies from school. Compulsory military service looms near. The unknown world of the jungle holds its own threats, but also the possibility of bringing Meng closer to understanding his own nature, and connecting with something bigger.
by Jow Zhi Wei
with Leon Dai, Edward Tan, Jay Victor, Julius Foo, Lekheraj Sekhar, Harry Nayan, Neo Swee Lin
Singapore / Taiwan / France / Portugal 2023 English, Mandarin 106’ Colour World premiere | Debut film recommendation: 14 years and up

With

  • Leon Dai (Chua)
  • Edward Tan (Meng)
  • Jay Victor (Soe)
  • Julius Foo (Lee)
  • Lekheraj Sekhar (Kishod)
  • Harry Nayan (Harry)
  • Neo Swee Lin (Wan)

Crew

Director Jow Zhi Wei
Screenplay Jow Zhi Wei
Cinematography Russell Morton
Editing Alexandra Strauss
Music Ting Si Hao
Sound Mixing Simon Apostolou
Sound Design Olivier Dandré, Alexandre Hecker
Production Design James Page
Costumes Meredith Lee
Casting Shirmaine Ong
Assistant Director Brian Chew
Producers Fran Borgia, Jeremy Chua, Stefano Centini, Xavier Rocher, Ico Costa
Co-Production Volos Films Taipeh
La Fabrica Nocturna Paris
Oublaum Filmes Lissabon

Jow Zhi Wei

The director studied at Le Fresnoy art school in France and at the Lasalle College of the Arts in Singapore. Since 2010, he has been a member of the Golden Horse Film Academy in Taiwan. In 2014, he received the Young Artist Award from the government of Singapore. After making three short films which screened at festivals including San Sebastián and Cannes, Míng tian bi zuo tian chang jiu is his debut feature.

Filmography

2009 Outing; short film 2010 Waiting; short film 2013 Au-delà de l’hiver (After the Winter); short film 2023 Míng tian bi zuo tian chang jiu (Tomorrow Is a Long Time)

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2023