When does The Absent take place?

The screening takes place on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 4:00 PM.

Where will The Absent be shown?

The Absent will be shown at the Gasteig HP8 projector in Munich, Hans-Preißinger-Straße 4-8.

How much does a ticket cost?

The regular ticket price is 9 euros. A reduced ticket costs 6 euros.

How long is the film?

The Absent has a runtime of 90 minutes.

In what version will the film be shown?

The film will be shown in the original version with English subtitles.

What is The Absent about?

The drama tells the story of three people in a Chinese border town whose life paths intersect during a snowstorm and who are connected through loss, loneliness, and the search for a father figure.

The Absent: A Quiet Film Drama about Loss, Closeness, and New Paths

Name: The Absent
Start: 2026-11-07T16:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-11-07T20:00:00+01:00
Location: Gasteig HP8, Projektor

Between Snow, Loss, and Hope: The Absent at the Munich Chinese Film Festival

A winter storm descends upon a small border town in northern China – bringing together three people whose lives are marked by absence, longing, and the search for a new beginning. Lu Dan's sensitively crafted directorial debut The Absent will be screened on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the Gasteig HP8 projector during the 14th Munich Chinese Film Festival.

Three Seekers, a Snowed-in Hotel

The drama, created in 2024, centers on a Russian-born photographer, a Han Chinese girl searching for her father, and a Tatar accordion player. As a snowstorm cuts off the outside world, their biographies weave together into a quiet community for a moment in time at a hotel.

What initially seems like a chance encounter develops into a dramaturgically focused narrative about loss, loneliness, and the question of how people continue to live with a painful past. The absence of a father figure forms the emotional resonance space in which the three life stories reflect each other.

A Subtle Staging with Great Emotional Range

Director Lu Dan, who hails from Xinjiang and also wrote the screenplay for her debut film, opts for a restrained visual language. The wintry border town, the enclosed hotel, and the tentative meetings condense into an atmospheric stage and film experience, where closeness often arises from glances, pauses, and unspoken memories.

The Absent combines drama and family film into a story about origin and belonging. The artistry of the actors unfolds its effect not through grand gestures but through subtle shifts: a conversation opens a wound, a shared meal creates trust, a musical moment brings repressed memories to the surface.

Chinese Cinema between Light and Shadow

The film fits into this year's festival motto “Between Light and Shadow, Encountering China.” The 14th Munich Chinese Film Festival focuses on personal relationships, societal changes, and the search for one's own place in life. Many contributions tell stories of family, love, loss, self-determination, and new beginnings.

As an original version with English subtitles, the screening provides immediate access to a multifaceted Chinese way of life. The reduced dramaturgy and wintry atmosphere make The Absent a film for all who appreciate quiet narratives, nuanced character portrayals, and poetic auteur cinema.

Conclusion: AnMoving Stage Experience in the Cinema Hall

At the Gasteig HP8 projector, the audience can expect a concentrated film experience about people who find each other in a foreign land. The Absent tells of pain without pathos and of hope without simple answers. Those who want to experience contemporary Chinese cinema, strong atmospheres, and finely crafted dramaturgy live will find a compelling festival evening here.