Caught by the Tides. 2024. Directed by Jia Zhangke

Film

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Held on Sat, Dec 20, 2025, 5:00 p.m.

MoMA, Floor T1, Theater 1

The Roy and Niuta Titus Theater 1

Caught by the Tides. 2024. China. Directed by Jia Zhangke. Courtesy Janus Films

Caught by the Tides. 2024. China. Directed by Jia Zhangke. Screenplay by Jia, Wan Jiahuan. With Zhao Tao, Li Zhubin. DCP courtesy Janus Films. In Mandarin; English subtitles. 111 min.

Bringing together unused footage, scenes from his previous films, and newly shot sequences, Jia Zhangke’s Caught By the Tides is a journey through the dreams and misunderstandings of a love story that spans over 23 years. It’s a compelling encapsulation of Zhangke’s hybrid aesthetic approach, narrative experimentation, and heartfelt interest in the evolving landscapes of China—its economic transformation and the waves of hope and disillusionment experienced by those affected by voluntary and forced migration.

Tickets are available to members at the Explore category and above beginning two weeks before each screening date. Additional tickets will be released to members and the general public one week before each screening date. Please note that space is extremely limited and tickets will be in high demand. Tickets can be reserved at moma.org/contenders beginning at 10:30 a.m. ET.

For the Contenders series, due to limited availability, members at the Explore category and above receive two free tickets per membership.

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This film accompanies The Contenders 2025.

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