XIANGHUO

In the dilapidated little temple in the village of Nanxiozai, the statue of Buddha is crumbling away. As the lantern festival approaches, the only monk in the area begins to solicit donations to fund a new one, but comes up against the refusal of a powerful man from the neighbouring town. Desperate, he is reduced to begging for alms, but the money he collects is confiscated by the police and the young monk has to find other means of ensuring his temple will once again house the needed statue. Ning Haos film follows his main character step by step, from one encounter to another, as he finds himself forced into fraud in order to ensure that his home becomes a place of prayer once more worthy of the name, but, paradoxically, loses his faith along the way. Incense is clearly shot on video but shows stunning landscapes, making good use of videos high contrast. (Charles Leary)