Return to Dust

"An unlikely love story."

2022 2h 13m ZH

👍

7.3

SOLID

★7.3TMDB · 211

DramaRomance

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Humble, unassuming Ma and timid Cao have been cast off by their families and forced into an arranged marriage. They have to combine their strength and build a home to survive. In the face of much adversity, an unexpected bond begins to blossom, as both Ma and Cao, uniting with Earth's cycles, create a haven for themselves in which they can thrive.

“An unlikely love story.”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Wu Renlin
Ma Youtie
Hai Qing
Cao Guiying
Yang Guangrui
Zhang Yongfu's Son
Dengfeng Zhao
Ma Youtong
Cailan Wang
Sister-in-Law
Jiangui Zeng
Ma Youtong's Eldest Son
Wu Yunzhi
Ma Youtong's Second Son
Zhanhong Ma
Brother Guiying

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Li Ruijun
Writers: Li Ruijun
Languages: Mandarin
Countries: China

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 6

ERA

Did you know

Released 4 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 6

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Li Ruijun, shot by Wang Weihua. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 6

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Li Ruijun shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 6

CAST

Did you know

Wu Renlin and Hai Qing and Yang Guangrui carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 6

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "An unlikely love story.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 6

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt17097088 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Li Ruijun directs. Wang Weihua behind the camera. Li Ruijun cuts. Produced in China. Dialogue in Mandarin.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released 4 years ago.
2Directed by Li Ruijun, shot by Wang Weihua. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
3Editor Li Ruijun shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
4Wu Renlin and Hai Qing and Yang Guangrui carry the top of the cast.
5Marketing tagline: "An unlikely love story.".
6IMDB entry: tt17097088 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

The technical file

Cinematography: Wang Weihua
Editing: Li Ruijun
Production design: Li Ruijun
Costume design: Jingyin Wu
Makeup / hair: Jingyin Wu
Runtime: 133 min · 2h 13m
Status: Released
Original language: ZH
Certification (US): NR
IMDB: Return to Dust (2022)

Awards

Espiga de Oro

Individual records documented via Wikidata; the summary above may count more.

Also by

Li Ruijun

Trailers & featurettes

Watch the pieces

Production companies

Who made it

AR
Aranya Pictures
CN
BE
Beijing J.Q. Spring Pictures 北京嘉映春天影业
CN
GA
Gansu Qizi Culture & Media
CN
HA
Hangzhou Qinzizai
CN
HU
Hucheng No.7 Films
CN
SU
Such A Good Film
CN
BE
Beijing Alibaba Pictures Culture
CN
AN
Anhui Xinmeng Culture Media
CN
BE
Beijing Kaixiu Cultural Media
CN
KE
Kenuo Television Media
CN
CH
China Film Co-Production
CN

Key crew

Co-ProducerYang Sun
Co-ProducerYiyan Zhao
EditorLi Ruijun
ProducerYan Li
Co-ProducerQiong Feng
Costume DesignJingyin Wu
SoundWang Changrui
Executive ProducerQin Hong
Production DesignLi Ruijun
Makeup ArtistJingyin Wu
Production ManagerZhao Shuai
Production DesignHan Dahai
Assistant DirectorDaiqing Li
Executive ProducerZhang Yibai
ProducerZhang Min
Co-ProducerTianye Wang
ProducerQin Hong
ProducerZhang Yibai
MusicPeyman Yazdanian
CastingLi Ruijun

Themes & keywords

What it's about, really

country life

Release history · US

When it landed

Premiere2022-10-07· Mill Valley Film Festival
Theatrical (limited)2023-07-21NR· BAM Rose Cinema, New York City & Gene Siskel Film Center, Chicago
Digital2023-10-17NR

Also known as