Film review: “Resurrection” by Bi Gan, a long, harmless journey through six eras

In Resurrectiona young man is reincarnated through six eras, while a mysterious woman follows him, embodying muse, guide and narrator. The film, marked by a spectacular long sequence shot and impressive visual richness, explores the senses, dreams and memory, summoning references to silent cinema, German expressionism and Chinese tales. Bi Gan plays on the fragments, video and music of M83 to create a dense and sensory universe, oscillating between wonder and vertigo. This third feature film, awarded the Jury Prize at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, confirms the poetic and ambitious style of the Chinese director, while letting the viewer navigate between fascination and perplexity.

Critics’ opinions

Antoine Guillot: “This long journey led me mainly towards boredom, whereas I had discovered Bi Gan with real enchantment. I have the impression that he parodies himself, exhibiting his virtuosity like a school demonstration, like an application for entering La Fémis. Everything seems locked to me, saturated with references and great tunes. By taking refuge in a past world, the film avoids all risk and ultimately says nothing about contemporary China, which makes it terribly harmless.”

Philippe Azoury: “The film had everything to be extraordinary, yet I never managed to find my place as a spectator. I deeply adhere to its idea of ​​cinema as a space of dreams, but I am blocked by its division and these “stations” which resist me more than they welcome me. Only the last sequence shot, sublime, truly carried me away. I will undoubtedly go and see it again, hoping to love it as much as those who spoke to me about it.”

Sound clips

• Film trailer Resurrection de Bigan

More information

• Resurrection by Bi Gan is released in theaters this Wednesday, December 10, 2025
• Resurrection by Bi Gan received the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival