The buzz surrounding Bi Gan’s Resurrection has been building for months, and it’s no surprise that the film has taken the world by storm after its debut at Cannes 2025. A striking blend of science fiction, dreamlike imagery, and groundbreaking cinematic techniques, Resurrection is a masterclass in visual storytelling that has left audiences and critics alike in awe.
Resurrection: A Cinematic Journey Through Dreams and Time
Set in a post-apocalyptic future where humans are banned from dreaming, Resurrection explores the lives of rebels known as “dream stealers.” The story follows one such rebel, Wendy (played by Shu Qi), who is captured by an agent and forced to confront the mysteries of dreams in a world that forbids them. Aided by the rebellious Jackson Yee, Wendy embarks on a journey through time and cinema, pushing the boundaries of reality itself.
Bi Gan, known for his previous works Kaili Blues and Long Day’s Journey Into Night, once again captivates with his unique ability to bend time and space. This film, his third, is more ambitious than anything he has done before, weaving multiple genres and visual styles into one seamless experience.
The Unconventional Narrative: A Feast for the Senses
Resurrection isn’t just a film—it’s a deeply immersive experience. Each chapter of the film is designed to engage one of the five human senses, creating a multi-dimensional exploration of existence and cinema. From the haunting prologue that explores a silent film universe to the shocking twists and turns in the dream sequences, Bi Gan delivers an experience that is both visually stunning and thematically profound.
The film is visually stunning, with sequences that pay homage to cinematic legends like Lumière, Murnau, and Melies. The use of formats, textures, and rhythms draws the viewer into a world where the very fabric of time and reality is constantly shifting. In particular, the use of 4:3 framing, grainy imagery, and a pace of 16 frames per second transports the audience to a forgotten era of cinema, while also pushing the boundaries of modern filmmaking.
A Bold Narrative That Challenges Reality
Throughout the film, Bi Gan takes us through a labyrinth of dreams, each more intricate and surreal than the last. The central theme of the movie revolves around perception—how we interpret the world around us and how our reality is shaped by the invisible forces of time and memory. In one of the most powerful segments, the protagonist experiences a forbidden love story on the eve of the millennium, all filmed in a stunning 40-minute single shot. This sequence, along with the mesmerizing time-lapse in the final act, blurs the lines between fantasy and reality, offering a compelling reflection on the nature of existence.
While Resurrection may not be an easy watch, with its experimental style and long runtime, it offers something rare in cinema: a film that does not just tell a story but engages the viewer on a sensory, emotional, and intellectual level. Bi Gan’s daring approach to the art of filmmaking pushes boundaries in ways that few films ever do.
A Mixed Reaction, But an Undeniable Masterpiece
The film’s audacity has certainly divided audiences. In fact, during the press screening, some critics left the theater mid-film, citing fatigue or boredom as reasons for their departure. However, Resurrection is a film that must be experienced in its entirety to be fully appreciated. The film’s unconventional approach is a bold risk, and while it may not appeal to everyone, those who stick with it are rewarded with an unforgettable cinematic experience.
In a world where many films follow predictable formulas, Resurrection stands as a testament to the power of cinema to transform perception and challenge the limits of imagination. It’s a film that leaves a mark, not just on the screen, but on the soul. As Bi Gan so masterfully shows, sometimes the most profound dreams are those that leave you questioning what is real and what is illusion.
Whether or not Resurrection reaches a wider audience, it will undoubtedly remain a landmark in contemporary cinema, one that will be remembered for its audacity and its emotional depth. This is a film that proves once again that cinema, when done right, can transcend time and space itself.
