The Poison Cat 毒药猫 | Midnightblurfilms

The Poison Cat

毒药猫

China | 2024 | Drama | Short | 17min

Director: Tian Guan
Screenwriter：Tian Guan
Executive Producer：
Producer: Vivian Bao, Ningyuan Ding, Angela Wang
Cinematographer：Chaochen Li
Editor：Zhongchen Zhang
Art Director：Luyue Meng
Sound：Yan Li
Music：Keju Luo
Starring：Liguo Yua, Yanxi Li

导演: 关天
编剧：关天
制片: 鲍薇薇, 丁宁远，王玉超
摄影指导：李超尘
剪辑：张中臣
美术指导：孟鲁越
声音：李焱
音乐：罗可居
主演：袁利国, 李妍锡

Synopsis

In southwest China, the ancient legend of the Poison Cat circulates. Hunter Tai has been feeling increasingly uneasy lately as he inexplicably connects the eerie cries in the forest and the strange occurrences in the village with his wife's unusual behavior. The age-old way of life he knows seems to be crumbling, echoing the prophecy in the legend…

Festival&Award

Mostra Internazionale D'arte Cinematografica

La Bienniale Di Venezia 2024 Official Selection

Stockholm International Film Festival

- Official Selection

Pingyao Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon International Film Festival

- Official Selection

Director's Note

When I first encountered the legend of the Poison Cat from the southwestern region of China, I was deeply captivated. Through retelling this ancient legend, I aim to reveal the hidden phenomenon of the "demonization of women" in China. Behind this demonization lies an unspoken, profound fear among men—a fear of losing power amid shifting gender norms and the rising tide of female empowerment.

Tian Guan

Tian Guan is a writer/director based in Beijing. He earned his MFA degrees in film production from Syracuse University and CalArts. As a filmmaker, Tian explores the power dynamics between individuals and social groups. His short films have screened at prestigious festivals such as the Venice Film Festival, Moscow Film Festival, Montreal World Film Festival, Slamdance Film Festival, ZINEBI, Palm Springs Short Film Festival, DokuFest, etc. They have also received awards at the Warsaw Film Festival, LA Film Fest, Leeds Film Festival, Gijon Film Festival, and San Diego Asian Film Festival. Two of his works were collected by MICA Film Center, John Hopkins University and Asia Library, University of Michigan. Tian is currently working on his first feature script, The Poison Cat, which has been selected for IFFR CineMart, EAVE Ties That Bind, and received three awards at the 21st Hong Kong HAF.