The Absent

The Absent, known in Chinese as 冬旅人, is set for release on August 7, 2026. The film marks the feature debut as writer-director for Lu Dan, identified as a female filmmaker from Xinjiang. Set in a northern town during winter, the narrative centers on three isolated figures: a Russian photographer estranged from his hometown, a Han girl wandering in search of her father, and a Tatar accordionist living in solitude. Their stories converge through an unexpected series of encounters. No streaming or theatrical distribution details have been announced at this time.