Famously praised by Martin Scorsese as the best film he saw in the '90s, The Horse Thief is a vivid showcase of Tian's mastery, creating a whole world with carefully orchestrated sounds and images. Telling the deceptively simple story of a lowly thief struggling to support his family and make ends meet, the film nevertheless ventures into sensitive political territory via its setting in the stark landscapes of Tibet, its focus on ethnic minorities, and its depiction of Buddhist traditions and ceremonies. Through minimal dialogue, subdued dramatisation, and a seemingly boundless diegesis, The Horse Thief is an unforgettable depiction of a marginalised land and people that also invites viewers to contemplate the relationship between humans and their environment. 

“An intoxicating masterpiece, and the very best film to come from China's Fifth Generation.” - San Francisco Examiner 

This season of Chinese films is part of the Belfast Film Festival Young Programmers project in association with QFT and supported by Film Hub NI. Peize Li, a former student of Queen's University, has selected the films based on the theme of minority groups in China and the diversity of Chinese cinema.

This film will play without ads and trailers and, as a result, will start promptly at the advertised time.