August, the directorial debut by Chinese artist, Zhang Zhehan. The documentary portraits his August 2023 journey to Tibet and how he is able to rebuild his faith in life through music, nature, and people he met on the road.
As a little background, Zhang graduated from the top performing school in China and worked hard in the industry for 10 years. An avid cycler and basketball player, Zhang's career was brought to an abrupt end when malicious and falsified information circulated on social media and he was swept away by an unprecedented cyber storm in August 2021. In three days, he was totally "silenced" and all 10-years' worth of hard work were taken down from all platforms. Since then, "August" is a dagger hanging in everyone's heart.
Sinking deeply into depression and isolation, he and his mom both contemplated suicide at one point. Luckily, his love for music and cycling gradually provided an outlet for all the bottled-up emotions.
In August 2023, he embarked on his third cycling trip to Tibet. The grandness of nature, the stories, struggles, love and faith of ordinary people gave him the inner peace to keep going. His journey is a healing process not just for himself, but for all. It is a message to all who have been wronged and still waiting for justice.
August is uplifting, Zhang did not drown in self-pity nor sorrow.
His message: live on, keep going. His saga has not been resolved, but he is moving on. August will come around every year, but he is not going to let that hold him back. He plans to be on the road every August.
Bravo young man. Good luck and we look forward to more amazing work from you. All the best.