Ahead of its national release, the film “The Shore of Life”—co-directed by Zhang Chi and Wang Kunlin, two alumni of the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC)—has already attracted widespread attention. Rooted in real-life stories, the film chronicles a terminally ill single mother’s final journey alongside her family, delving into the themes of life, death, and family bonds. It has earned high praise at major film festivals, including being the winner of the prestigious “Dawn Honors” at the Golden Rooster Films Project Market and being featured at platforms such as the Hong Kong International Film & TV Market, Hainan Island International Film Festival, and Zhejiang Youth Film Week.
The collaboration of Zhang and Wang began during their study at UNNC, which shaped their creative vision. Wang Kunlin, who earned her degree in International Communications, recalled how her studies and campus experience ignited her passion for film. Zhang Chi, during his postgraduate studies, gained an open cross-cultural perspective that broadened his horizon.
From their first short film on UNNC campus to directing a theatrical production now, the two directors, who have already made their mark at international A-list film festivals, continue to absorb, accumulate and create, bracing themselves for their very own “directorial era”. As Wang Kunlin puts it: “My education at UNNC gave me a solid foundation in critical thinking and global vision. The deeper I dive into this industry, the more I realised that technical skills are just the basics. The height of one's thinking and vision determines how far an individual can truly go. ”
Published on 14 May 2025