Unknown Pleasures/Xiao Wu

Jia Zhang-Ke's new film follows the lives of two 19 year old friends, Bin Bin & Xiao Ji, who live in the provincial Chinese city of Datong. Disaffected and without jobs or ambition, they pass their days wandering around town on their motorbikes, hanging out at the smoky pool hall, and dreaming of girls and escape.

Around them, China is changing; television informs them of their nation's rapidly developing political and economic role in the world and the steady encroachment of globalisation. One of the most exciting filmmaking talents to have emerged from China in recent years, Jia keeps the dramatic focus tightly reigned in this digitally shot, absorbing and searing portrait of contemporary China.

Jia's acutely observed debut feature follows the exploits of a petty thief, Xiao Wu, who operates as a pickpocket in a ramshackle provincial town. But in a rapidly changing China, Xiao Wu also finds he is out of step with the times and his inability to adapt marks the beginning of his downfall.