This unusual new film from Zhang Yang (Shower), "Quitting" is the true story of a family's determination when faced with a crisis. Jia Hongsheng, a young Chinese film star of the early 90's, has an emotional breakdown that leaves him in a state of despair. He stops acting, locks himself in his apartment, and does drugs. Jia's parents pack up their entire lives and move to Beijing to help their son. "Quitting" explores Jia Hongsheng's journey, from the cutting edge of China's artistic movement in the early 1990's to a mental institution and finally to the quest to rediscover himself and his family. Jia Hongsheng plays himself, and all of the characters in "Quitting" are played by real people who were part of his life - including his parents, his doctors, and director Zhang Yang and Art Director An Bin, who are Jia's close friends.

Quitting traces the long hard road back from drug addiction by B- movie actor Jia Hongsheng in Zang Yang's film. It’s a true story and Jia Hongsheng plays himself. The film has received enormous attention in China for as drug addiction increases the government has tangentially tried to sweep it under the rug. During Quitting's premier in China, Zang Yang publicly wept because he was so nervous about public reaction.

What distinguishes this film from others of its kind is the reality afforded the film by the presence of Jia Hongsheng. Additionally, the story which chronicles the sacrifice on the part of his parents who leave their jobs and homes to come and live with him and take care of him ranks high as to why the film endears itself to an audience.

His parents who eventually commit Hongsheng to an institution witness his gradual deterioration, with an insistence of being the son of John Lennon. Likewise his inability to kick drugs on his own will power and with the aid of his family results in increased violence including the assault of his father. In this way the power of drug addiction is well demonstrated. For this reason the film ranks as a strong family drama as well as a film about drug addiction. It moreover illustrates how drug addiction is a family illness.

An innovative aspect of the film is how Yang interrupts the narration to show that the film is being made, with shots of a stage set with the different rooms of Hongsheng's apartment.

Moira Sullivan

Zhang Yang graduated from the Central Theatre Academy, Director’s department, in 1992. After graduation he directed a Chinese production of Kiss of the Spider Woman in Beijing gathering critical accolades. He directed over twenty underground music videos over the next several years. His debut as a movie director, Spicy Love Soup won an unusual number of prizes for an independent film in China. His second feature, Shower, won major prizes in Toronto, San Sebastian and Seattle and has already been sold in 46 territories.