Out of Frame (2016)

Over the years, Tang has insisted on painting in black. These so-called "Black Paintings" are created by splashing black paint on black canvases. Thus, all finished works look the same. The story begins when the artist village where Tang lives is being forcefully demolished by the authorities. And Tang is in police custody for hindering law enforcement. As a result, He and his wife and daughter have to move to a new artist village, East Village, to continue their lives. Like most artists, he lives hand-to-mouth by selling his paintings one at a time. But life in the East Village is not easy. There are literally tens of thousands of artists competing for the same opportunities of the elusive big break. Tang and his artist buddies, including Gold, must seize every chance. However, the first exhibition they try to organize is closed down by the government. Tang starts to use his own blood to create the Black Paintings to express his protest of all kinds of violence and oppression. On the other hand, Gold successfully seduces a rich and connected woman, and his career takes off. Female filmmaker Mary comes to the East Village to shoot the documentary "Real Artist". And gradually she becomes Tang's spiritual anchor. However, during a private party/exhibition that Mary organizes, Tang was once again arrested. Afterwards, Tang begins to utilize the form of "Performance Art", and uses his body to express his reflections about this cruel world. His work includes, "Cooking Frogs in Warm Water" to "Out of Frame" After he experiences the death of his mentor (the poet Fou), the separation from his wife, torture in jail, and betrayal of love and friendship, he is able to unleash his inner powers amidst extreme oppression. Tang finds the audacity to unleash inner powers to fight for his artistic ideals till the end, amidst internal and external struggles. He is a prototype of the free spirit striving in the dictatorial Chinese regime.