A Dreamlike Search for a Lost Father Anchors 'Atlantic Rhapsody'

A supermarket clerk accidentally boils a shark, starts hearing mysterious voices and sets out to uncover the truth behind his father's disappearance.

That surreal premise lies at the heart of the Chinese film "Atlantic Rhapsody," a Golden Goblet Awards Main Competition entry that drew attention at the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival, where director Zhong Kaifeng and the cast and crew met the media on June 18.

Speaking about the title, Zhong said the team initially considered a more direct name. "At first, after talking it over with actor Wang Yitong, we thought about calling it 'My Shark Dad,'" he said.

He explained that the final title grew out of two recurring elements in the story: the television series "The Man from Atlantis," and a shark kept in a supermarket fish tank. Together they shaped the film's identity and pointed the team toward "Atlantic Rhapsody."

The film, Zhong's feature directorial debut, stands out for its sound design. For the protagonist, Ding Mao, sound designer Li Pite builds an immersive soundscape that tracks his shifting emotional state and pulls audiences deeper into the dreamlike story.

A nationwide release date has yet to be announced, but producer Wang Tianxiao said the team hopes the film will connect with audiences after its festival run.

"We hope the film finds the audience that appreciates it, and that those who appreciate it get the chance to see it," Wang said. "We're very much looking forward to that."