Okay, here is a detailed plot description of the movie "The Canyon" (大峡谷), directed by Jia Zhangke:
Logline: A disillusioned and struggling father seeks to reconnect with his distant teenage son by taking him on an impromptu road trip through the vast and arid landscapes of China's Gobi Desert and the nearby Great Wall.
Detailed Plot:
The film opens in the dusty, economically depressed industrial city of Datong in Shanxi province. We are introduced to Li Jian, a man in his late 30s or early 40s. He works as a low-level official or administrator at a coal mine or a similar state-owned enterprise, a job that offers little satisfaction and provides a modest but precarious income. Li Jian is portrayed as deeply dissatisfied with his life, feeling trapped and unfulfilled. He is also struggling with a sense of paternal distance from his son, Li Xiaodong (often referred to as Xiaodong or simply "Dong"), who is around 17 years old. Xiaodong is moody, rebellious, seemingly indifferent to his father, and spends much of his time listening to loud music, dreaming of escaping the mundane reality of Datong.
Li Jian's life is further complicated by his relationship with his wife, Jin Shu, who is often overwhelmed and seems to be drifting emotionally. There's a palpable tension and lack of communication within the family. Li Jian harbors a secret passion for photography, an interest he rarely pursues due to lack of time, money, and perhaps fear of judgment.
The inciting incident occurs when Li Jian discovers that his son, Xiaodong, has secretly skipped school and is planning to run away, likely to Beijing or perhaps to follow a friend who has gone to Mongolia. Devastated and fearing the worst, Li Jian decides he must find his son. This desperate need to reconnect and save his relationship with Xiaodong becomes the catalyst for an unexpected journey.
Without much planning or preparation, Li Jian gathers a small amount of money, puts some essential belongings in a car (often described as a beat-up Beijing Benz), and sets off with Xiaodong in search of him. They drive eastward out of Datong, away from the familiar industrial landscape towards the vast, empty desert known as the Gobi.
The road trip becomes a journey of self-discovery for both father and son. They pass through increasingly desolate and arid landscapes, reflecting their internal states. The car breaks down at one point, forcing them to wait for repairs, which adds to their strandedness and isolation.
Throughout the journey, their relationship is tested. There are moments of tense silence, arguments fueled by frustration and underlying emotions, and brief, fleeting attempts at conversation. Li Jian tries to engage Xiaodong, asking about his music, his dreams, and his problems at school, but often finds his son unresponsive or dismissive. Xiaodong, in turn, is initially wary and resistant, judging his father as an incompetent failure who cannot provide a better life.
However, as they travel together, facing the vastness of the desert and the limitations of their situation, subtle changes begin to occur. They share meals on the side of the road, watch stunning sunsets and starry nights together, and experience moments of shared vulnerability. Li Jian shows his photography skills, capturing the stark beauty of the landscape, which seems to resonate with Xiaodong. They might encounter other travelers, local people, or simply the overwhelming emptiness of the desert, all of which serve to force them to interact and rely on each other.
The film captures the harsh realities of life in rural China, the environmental degradation caused by mining, and the stark beauty and overwhelming scale of the natural world. The desert landscape becomes a powerful metaphor for the emotional desolation and the vast distances (both physical and emotional) between the father and son.
The climax of their journey is not a specific event but rather the culmination of their shared experiences and the gradual shift in their relationship. They may reach a point where they have to make a crucial decision together, face a significant challenge, or have a moment of profound understanding. By the end of the trip, the initial antagonism has largely dissolved, replaced by a grudging respect and a rekindled, though still fragile, connection.
The film concludes with Li Jian and Xiaodong driving back towards Datong, the car now running but the future uncertain. The ending is open-ended but hopeful. Li Jian has taken the first, difficult steps to mend his relationship with his son. He has faced the emptiness of the desert and perhaps found a new sense of purpose or direction through his photography and the journey itself. Xiaodong, while still potentially moody, seems to have gained a new perspective on his father and their relationship. The journey has not solved all their problems, but it has opened the door for change. The final shots often focus on the landscape or the father and son driving together, suggesting a new beginning.
In essence, "The Canyon" is a contemplative and visually striking drama about familial love, communication breakdown, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing China. It portrays the struggles of ordinary people and the profound impact that a simple journey can have on relationships.
