Directed by Deming Chen, Always follows Youbin Gong, a young man who is growing up in the mountains of Hunan, China. Although his mother abandoned the family when he was very young, he manages to find a refuge in the world of the arts. As he develops his skills in the classroom, we recognize the beauty and power that language can offer as a source of hope in the midst of difficult circumstances.

In Always, Chen holds the innocence of childhood up against the realities of adulthood. As Gong moves through his youth, Chen paints the imagery in black and white tones, giving the film a classic feel. We are meant to experience the world through the eyes of a young man who views the world with anticipation, even if they live in poverty.

At the same time though, we also hear the burdens carried by the adults in his home. With his father struggling to find work due to injury and his mother’s disappearance, Gong’s family lives with little hope. They cling to hope in the form of fate but also acknowledge that it doesn’t always work in their favour. Held up in juxtaposition to Gong’s innocent eyes, we experience the tension between youthful joy and the weight of adult responsibility.

But, in the midst of this struggle, Gong finds a way to interpret his world. Having learned to access the deepest parts of his soul through poetry in school, Gong has developed a keen sense of self-expression that gives him greater hope. By using Gong’s poetry as a narrative device, Chen manages to remind the viewer that creativity is often not only fueled by challenge but also provides a proper outlet for healing. It’s worth noting that Gong is not ignorant of his family’s struggles. Instead, his ability to connect with his artistic impulses allows him the freedom to process his thoughts in a healthy manner and, perhaps, maintain that innocence that defines his youth.

Always is playing at HotDocs ’25. For more information, click here.