Synopsis
The tenth Walker film
takes place in Washington DC.
Two lonely souls on separate journeys,
sometimes crossing paths
but never once meeting.
Nothing happens between them.
There is no story.
Their walking journeys are
like a meditative prayer of heart and soul.
Director’s Statement
“The concept for the Walker series was born out of a play I did ten years ago, in which Hsiao Kang (Lee Kang-Sheng) performed a slow walking segment as part of his solo scene. It was beautiful and powerful, and it touched me deeply. I therefore decided to turn this performance into a work of moving images.
I designed Hsiao Kang’s look — shaved head, bare feet, red robes, like an ascetic. This idea was inspired by the spirit of Xuanzang, a Tang Dynasty monk who travelled thousands of miles on foot from China to India in search of Buddhist scriptures.
I wondered if this modern version of Xuanzang could walk around the world. I thought each location that he walks at could be a film. I could make ten films in ten years, perhaps more. When we observe the walker in these films, because he is walking so slowly, we can’t help but also see the world around him. What would the viewer make of the world, seen through this way?
The Walker series began more than ten years ago in 2012. To date, I have realized my goal of making ten films. That the tenth film is made in Washington DC is like a dream to me.” -Tsai Ming-liang
