Two Mountains Weighing Down my Chest
by Viv Li
Synopsis
Viv, a Chinese wannabe artist, found herself stuck in Berlin after the pandemic and accidentally ventured into the city’s vibrant alternative culture scene. Drifting between new environments and traditional expectations, Viv is constantly adapting to shifting opinions about herself, the world and, of course, China, only to feel more lost than ever. Two Mountains Weighing Down My Chest follows Viv’s eclectic encounters and the nuanced culture clashes that shape them. Told in a deeply personal and humorous voice, the film takes a witty yet sharp look at the quest for a sense of belonging in a globalised world and how different societies define our lives. ‘ A story of the perpetual search for oneself, identity and acceptance, woven into a spiral of surreal yet tangible moments.
Credits
Director, Screenplay: Viv Li
Cinematography: Viv Li, Janis Mazuch
Editing: Christoph Bargfrede
Sound Design: Marcel Walvisch
Producers: Daniela Dieterich, Erik Winker, Martin Roelly, Ümit Uludağ
Co-Producers: Olivia Sophie Van Leeuwen, Ruby Deelen
Produced by Corso Film (DE), in co-production with 100% Film (NL) and ZDF – Das Kleine Fernsehspiel
World sales : Mediawan Rights
A film developed in the framework of SIC – SoundImageCulture
With the support of Sundance Documentary Fund, 2022, The Whickers Awards, 2022, Logan Nonfiction Fellowship, 2022, IDFA Forum, 2021, Nipkow Program, 2021, Berlinale Talents Doc Station, 2021, IDFA Project Space, 2021, IDFAcademy, 2021, FIPADOC, 2021, DOKLeipzig, 2020
Screenings
Berlinale 2026 – World Premiere, Berlin, DE, 02/2026
more information
Year: 2026
Duration: 85′
Language: English, Mandarin, German
Subtitles: English
website : https://viv-li.com/The-Two-Mountains
Teddy Award interview at Berlinale, 2026 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j17rOSXKS8M
Projections – screenings
World premiere at Berlinale, Berlin, DE, 2026
