The Hedgehog

Life just seems to get in the way for Wang Zhantuan (Ge You), who’s weird behavior and wacky ideas make him a social outcast. Despite pressure from his family and neighbors, Wang’s devoted wife refuses to have him institutionalized.

Wang has only one understanding friend; his teenage nephew Zhou Zheng (Kerry WANG), who is also ostracized by his family and other folk because of his embarrassing stutter.

Zhou is our sometimes narrator as he recalls Wang’s difficult and restive life in northeast China and beyond. The pair of misfits form a special bond during a summer of discover that includes eating a hedgehog for medicinal purposes.

Directed by GU Changwei (Peacock, the Silver Bear-winning film of 2005 Berlin International Film Festival), Hedgehog is a quirky and heartwarming film adapted from a short story by ZHENG Zhi, who authored the screenplay.