Always(HKAFF2025)

Chen Deming establishes himself as one of the most exciting new voices in documentary filmmaking with this gorgeously-rendered portrait of a young poet. In the mountains of Hunan Province, eight-year-old Youbin discovers the magic of Chinese poetry when taught the subject in school. Shot over three years, Chen’s slice-of-life documentary traces how Youbin’s difficult life influences his art and how his life changes through his formative years. Rendering Youbin’s rural surroundings with stunningly beautiful frames, Chen hasn’t just captured the life of an unlikely poet with his mesmerising debut feature, he’s created cinematic poetry himself.

DOX:Award, CPH:DOX
Hot Docs Festival
Best Picture, International Competition, Jeonju International Film Festival