A disappearance is the engine of Dong Jie's debut feature Zoom In, Zoom Out, but the Chinese director is less interested in the mystery of where his character has gone than in what his absence reveals about everyone left behind. The film, which premieres at the Venice Critics' Week, follows Shi, a young game designer, as he vanishes without explanation, leaving his girlfriend, Lin, and their friends to grapple with uncertainty and emotional turmoil. Rather than focusing on solving the mystery of Shi’s whereabouts, the film delves into the ripple effects of his absence on those around him, exploring themes of love, trust, and the fragility of relationships. Set in a modern, urban environment, the film uses Shi’s disappearance as a catalyst to examine the emotional landscapes of his loved ones. Lin, played by actress Li Yifeng, becomes the emotional core of the story as she tries to navigate life without knowing whether Shi is simply absent or has left for good. Her interactions with friends and family reveal the complexities of human connection and the ways in which people cope with loss and uncertainty. Dong Jie employs a quiet, observational style to tell his story, focusing on subtle gestures and conversations that convey deep emotional undercurrents. The film avoids dramatic twists or over-explanations, instead allowing the audience to sit with the ambiguity of Shi’s absence. This approach invites viewers to reflect on their own experiences with loss and the ways in which people change in the face of uncertainty. Zoom In, Zoom Out is a meditative exploration of absence and its emotional consequences. While it may not offer clear answers about Shi’s fate, it provides a poignant look at the lives of those left behind, highlighting the enduring impact of a single disappearance on the people who remain.