In a high-altitude town in Sichuan’s Aba, 14-year-old Zaxi practices daily under a makeshift hoop his father built from an
old door. A storm destroys this symbol of his dreams, prompting Zaxi and his 10-year-old brother to journey across the plateau to find a “perfect court.” They navigate yak herds, scale ancient structures, and try a hoop hanging from a tree, yet their ideal court remains elusive. Everything changes when Zaxi follows monks to a pristine concrete court hidden beneath a temple tower. Initially hesitant, Zaxi practices alone until dusk, when a group of maroon-robed monks arrives. A ball arcs toward the solitary boy; meeting the monks’ encouraging gaze, Zaxi—who usually keeps his head down—accepts this silent invitation. In a transformative game, sweat-drenched and lifted bodily by the laughing monks, Zaxi experiences his first slam dunk. Lying breathless, he realizes his blueprint for a “perfect court” is unnecessary. The true court is defined by the community willing to lift him skyward.
by Yasheng Tao, Guanzhen Gao and Yi wei (China)
Cal Film Festival 