“I think it’s fair to say my film is like a kaleidoscope of various aspects of society”: Zhongchen Zhang on Nighttime Sounds at Red Sea International Film Festival 2025

From security guard to acclaimed director, Zhongchen Zhang’s journey is unique. He presented his film Nighttime Sounds at the Red Sea Film Festival 2025.

In this conversation for The Upcoming, Zhang discussed how his diverse life influenced his narrative. Set in Maozhuang Village amidst 800-year-old Song-dynasty statues, the movie explores the inner yearnings of Qing and her mother. As Zhang put it, “My film is like a kaleidoscope of various aspects of society,” blending social and magical realism to address themes of loss, oppression, and female desire through family secrets and a mysterious boy’s arrival. He also touched upon the powerful imagery and former colleagues’ contributions.

Laura Della Corte

Nighttime Sounds does not have a release date yet.

Watch the trailer for Nighttime Sounds here: