Suburban Birds is a Chinese film directed by Qiu Sheng. The film tells the story of Hao, a geological engineer who is sent to investigate a case of ground subsidence in a suburban area. Hao and his team spend days wandering around the empty suburbs, trying to find answers to the mysterious phenomenon.
Hao's investigation takes him to a primary school where he finds a diary belonging to a young boy. The diary tells the story of a group of friends who were inseparable until their sudden separation. As Hao continues his investigation, he becomes increasingly convinced that the diary contains prophecies about his own life.
Suburban Birds is a slow-paced, introspective film that explores themes of memory, time, and the human experience. The film juxtaposes the story of the young boy's diary with the story of Hao's investigation, highlighting the cyclical nature of human experience and the passage of time.
The film has been praised for its beautiful cinematography, evocative soundtrack, and understated performances. It premiered at the Locarno Film Festival in 2018, where it won the Best Emerging Director award, and has since been screened at festivals around the world.