Xue Qing

Imitating the narrative flows of a reality show, Tao creates a fictional scene of mediation, presenting a Chinese family’s complex relationship dynamics. As the plot unfolds, Tao highlights the touchy feelings and melodramatic relationships between the scene’s women. The tension between characters, as well as the film’s final chaotic climax, continuously explore character roles and their performativity. Tao recreates scenes from the night of the shoot and invites the audience to join and watch it “live,” thereby creating a passage from reality into this fictional world.

Returning to his hometown for the Qingming Festival, a 27-year-old Chinese gay man grapples with hiding his sexuality to meet his family's marriage expectations, leading to a tense showdown during the traditional chicken slaughter ritual.