New Life

What it’s about

Zhao Xiaoman drifts through a life of odd jobs, keeping her distance from the pain her family left behind. When a stray dog enters her world, the animal's constant presence becomes a daily companionship she did not ask for. The two lonely souls grow inseparable, but the prospect of an inevitable farewell raises a hard question: is caring for another worth the grief that may follow?

What hooks you

Zhang Zifeng plays Zhao Xiaoman, and Wang Jingchun appears as Zhao Bujin. The film runs 124 minutes and is a drama from China, directed by Dong Hongjie. Ta Ta appears as the stray dog.

Who it’s for

It is a good pick for those who like quiet character studies about grief and healing, and for viewers drawn to stories of unexpected bonds between people and animals.