Zhao Liang – Behemoth #Venezia72

September 12, 2015

Zhao Liang - Behemoth #Venezia72 fredfilmradio

Podcast | Download

Zhao Liang – Filmmaker – Behemoth

FRED’s Matt Micucci interviews filmmaker Zhao Liang, who presented his powerful, breathtaking documentary BEHEMOTH in the main competition of the 72nd Venice Film Festival.

He talks to us about how he sees this documentary as a kind of prophecy and mentions all the important environmental themes which he touches. He also talks about his stylistic approach and the influence from Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy.

On top of this Zhao Liang also gives a more general overview of the way in which he likes to work and the way in which he likes to construct his features, in this case by blending footage of a realistic nature with more poetic and imagined ones, which is a testimony to his interest in all of the arts, and not just filmmaking.

BEHEMOTH: Under the sun, the heavenly beauty of grasslands will soon be covered by the raging dust of mines. Facing the ashes and noises caused by heavy mining , the herdsmen have no choice but to leave as the meadow areas dwindle. In the moonlight, iron mines are brightly lit throughout the night. Workers who operate the drilling machines must stay awake. The fight is tortuous, against the machine and against themselves. Meanwhile, coal miners are busy filling trucks with coals. Wearing a coal-dust mask, they become ghost-like creatures. An endless line of trucks will transport all the coals and iron ores to the iron works. There traps another crowd of souls, being baked in hell. In the hospital, time hangs heavy on miners’ hands. After decades of breathing coal dust, death is just around the corner. They are living the reality of purgatory, but there will be no paradise.

Written by: fredfilmradio

Matt Micucci

Guest

Zhao Liang

Film

Behemoth

Festival

Mostra del Cinema di Venezia

Rate it

Channel posts

News

4 2

Berlinale

Michelle Yeoh to Receive the 2026 Honorary Golden Bear at the Berlinale

November 14, 2025 2 4

Berlinale 2026 will award the Honorary Golden Bear to Michelle Yeoh, celebrating her four-decade contribution to global cinema.

Noah Beck and Siena Agudong in a scene from The Bad boy and me by Justin Wu

Interview

8 11

Alice nella Città - Roma

“The Bad Boy and Me”, interview with the director Justin Wu and the actors Noah Beck and Siena Agudong

November 3, 2025 11 8

The Bad Boy and Me, at the 23rd Alice Nella Città marks social-media phenomenon and influential Content creator Noah Beck’s debut as actor.

Daniel Day-Lewis and Sean Bean in AnemoneCredit: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2025 FOCUS FEATURES LLC

Interview

2 1

Alice nella Città - Roma

“Anemone”, interview with director Ronan Day-Lewis

November 3, 2025 1 2

Anemone by Ronan Day-Lewis , winner of the 23rd Alice nella città - Best Debut feature award, marks the return of Daniel Day-Lewis

a still from Bluey at the Cinemas “Let’s Play Chef” Collection

Interview

Alice nella Città - Roma

“Bluey at the cinema: ‘Let’s Play Chef’ Collection”, interview with Gaby Dior, head of EMEA licensing at BBC Studios

October 30, 2025

"Bluey at the Cinema: 'Let’s play Chef' Collection” brings the animated series to the big screen: from Alice nella Città to the cinema theatres on October 30.

LISTEN TO ALL OUR RADIO CHANNELS

Zhao Liang – Behemoth #Venezia72

Channel posts

Michelle Yeoh to Receive the 2026 Honorary Golden Bear at the Berlinale

“The Bad Boy and Me”, interview with the director Justin Wu and the actors Noah Beck and Siena Agudong

“Anemone”, interview with director Ronan Day-Lewis

“Bluey at the cinema: ‘Let’s Play Chef’ Collection”, interview with Gaby Dior, head of EMEA licensing at BBC Studios

Top popular

Michelle Yeoh to Receive the 2026 Honorary Golden Bear at the Berlinale

Antonio Banderas riceverà la “Stella della Mole” al 43° Torino Film Festival

Torino Film Festival 2025: il programma della 43ª edizione

“Anemone”, interview with director Ronan Day-Lewis

“Hamnet”, interview with the director Chloé Zhao

Recent Posts